Robert Olmstead - Ohio Wesleyan University

Professor: Robert Olmstead

Department: TBD

College: Ohio Wesleyan University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG340
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

If youre serious about creative writing, Olmstead will help you get there. Loved his class. Some find him rough/abrasive but I always appreciated his feedback-I wanted to know how to move forward w/ my writing. He does favor a certain style (think: Ray Carver) and doesnt tolerate fools. Ive taken 2 of his classes and would take again. Awesome!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG2003
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Professor has very precise ideas of what is or is not adequate writing often based on personal preference. Can be highly unfair in commentary to that which he finds he specifically cannot relate to. Says he values free speech, but will not hesitate to degrade and dismiss writing based on social issues he disagrees with, thus making class difficult.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG314
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Olmstead is picky about what he wants you to write about, and even though he preaches freedom of speech, if you don't write what he likes to read, he tears you apart. His version of help is asking "don't you ever write anything else?" and then leaving you to flounder. By far the most degrading professor I've met on this campus. Wish I could rate 0.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG314
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very experienced, has very clear views on social issues that he likes to work into his critiques so that the works have moral significance. Can be rough when critiquing and may make you upset, but genuinely means well and wants to make you a better writerhuman being. Don't show fear, and don't argue with him, it will only make it worse. Organized.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG480
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I loved this class. If you are an aspiring writer it is an honour and so beneficial to be in his class. I admit he can be abstract and moody at times, but he is a very gifted man who knows his stuff. I wish he taught more classes!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENGWRFI
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Olmstead is tough at critiquing, but he's toughest on the works he likes. If you approach him for help, he's definitely there to give you pointers. He likes to turn simple concepts into deeper issues with humanity during class. Overall, I enjoyed this class and look forward to the next.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENGANY
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He sees talent where he sees it, and while that may be according to taste, he has been an impeccable judge for the most part, and he nourishes those who believes in. He is not primaryly a teacher, but he will meet halfway you as a writer and give some pretty genuine advice. Prepare and thicken your skin, this business is not for the faint of heart.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG314
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He's a writer first and a teacher second, and you'll flip-flop between loving and hating him for that. Criticism is tough but at least mostly useful if you pay attention. His approach is hands-off, so meeting after class won't really help you. I personally liked this though: it was more like presenting stories to an editor than a teacher.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG341
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Dr. Olmsted expects you to mimic his style of writing. He isn't interested in your thoughts or your own person style. At times you might catch a glimmer of how he is a good human being, and other times he will try and destroy valid thoughts and opinions to make himself seem reflective and deep. I won't take another class with him.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENGL340
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Terrible teacher. May be a decent writer in some circles, but I was not impressed with his writing, or his attitude towards students. He did not seem to care what others thought. Went on completely useless tangents. Was NOT willing to help students outside of class. Students would be better off taking another teacher.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENGL350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Useless teacher. Doesnt care about the students. He wont help you if there is a discrepancy with your grade, especially if its his fault. Dont take his class unless you are prepared to go to the Dean with your problems, b/c thats what it will take.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENG340
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Was not helpful when I had a serious discrepancy with my final project grade. Was unreceptive to ideas other than what he personally agreed with. Had very clear favorites. Never seemed to care much for what he was doing. If you want to take the class, don't depend on him to help you.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He teaches writing, but he seems to hate it. Shows little interest or care for students work...

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG182
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Avoid if at all possible. Not willing to help if you are struggling. If your thoughts and opinions aren't up to his standards, you are basically set up to fail.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENGSECT
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Rarely do I have professors in my life who I consider to be excruciating (and I've had Levine and Ryan). Olmstead may be a competent writer himself, but he's a lousy teacher. The comments I received on my papers were vague and confusing to say the least. At least Ryan gave me clear instructions on what she wanted without going off on a tangent.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG180182
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I did terribly in the class, but I enjoyed it. This guy is a rock star.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ANY
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

he's tight

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG182
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Arrogant. Not constructive in the least bit, and less than insightful when it comes to literature. Thumbs down.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: FICTIONWRITING
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I agree that he is a bit full of himself. His writing isn't anything to cheer over, and if your writing don't measure up to his sometimes absurd standards you're in trouble.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ANY
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

His writings and class are overated, and he is so full of himself it makes me want to die.