challenges students, but is always extremely nice and helpful.

Wants students to do well, is very helpful but sometimes confusing

Couldn't find a better teacher to study Russian literature.

She is very nice and helpful, but a hard grader.

Absolutely my favorite professor. Knows and loves the material. Expects you to contribute your own insight rather than telling you what to think. Tough grader, but constructive criticism extremely helpful. Go see her for office hours; she's fun. =)

Maria is really nice, if you go to her and clarify your paper problems you should do better, expects participation but is not terrible about it, a little picky on proof-reading, very technical, a bit too analytical of texts, sometimes writes "NO&quot

Maria is a genius, listen to her

Maria was a good professor. She chose good material and facilitated consistently good discussions. She always supports a good thesis but is harsh if you stray from it. Overall I really enjoyed her class.

Maria is a wonderful teacher. She is so nice and helpful (she'll really help you improve you writing). Take her class if you like russian lit for sure.

Helped me out with my writing a lot! She definitely puts in the time out of class to help you and have conferences. Great literature and engaging discussions. Hard grader and hard to please but she pushes you to get the most out of you!

Really good professor. Take this class if you want to learn how to write well. Professor is very encouraging and will you lots of time and advice if you want help or just feel like talking about anything.

It makes me sick to read bad comments about her! She is such a sweetheart, very approachable, personable. Will push you and turn you into an excellent writer. First few grades are scary, though, but you learn so much.

Maria is a really sweet woman and has a lot of passion for the material that she teaches. Her grading is a bit harsh and it is difficult to improve your grades, but if you are interested in Russian lit, I would definitely recommend her thought-provoking classes.

i like her a lot. at first i thought that my grades would stay the same, but they've gotten a lot better as the semester goes on. she's really pushing me to the next level.

Hard as hell. But she is a wonderful person and an even more wonderful professor. Don't expect to get an A on your first... or second.. or third paper. But if you're willing, she will make you a better writer, even a great writer, maybe. She drills holes through her own schedule to cater to her students. You would be wise to seek her help. G'luck.

Maria will frustrate you to no end with her nit-pickiness and constant calls for revision, particularly in Russian Lit. Will assume the worst and she is usually RIGHT. Face it, this is what a college professor should be like. Will bend over backwards to help you improve and you WILL improve, even if her tough grading doesn't reflect it. Loved her.

If you want to become a better writer, take her class. She is a very tough grader, but if you work hard, there will be visible improvement in your writing. Definitly enjoyed the class.

Very good teacher. She will punish you and poke as many holes as possible in your paper, but it is only to improve your writing - she will work with you out of class pretty much whenever and is very receptive to questions and help. You will definitely learn a lot if you take her class, even if the grades are a struggle.

She is so helpful and nice--and tall and pretty too. My writing improved a ton.

Helpful teacher. Writing skills will improve, but grades not necessarily. Difficult to please. Helpful during 1-on-1 time. Funny. VERY strict grader. Don't be late to class. Participate in class. A "C" isn't too difficult to achieve, but a "B" if you break your back, maybe. If you get an "A", you prob. shoudln't have been in WR100 to begin with.

She's passionate and extremely well-versed in her subject, she values new ideas from her students, and she takes plenty of time to help everyone understand the assignments. See her during office hours; she's tough, but her comments are extremely helpful.

She's not the most friendly teacher you have have but she is really specific, meticulous about commnets, and always stays late to help us. If you can take the rough grading her class is definately worth it.

Take this class. Gapotchenko will help you improve your writing, and she's not rude, mean, or unprofessional if you're not rude, mean, or unprofessional. She's always available and always extremely helpful. An A is not impossible (I got one), you just have to be willing to work for it.

Maria is a great professor. She'll kick your ass, but you have to appreciate the comments. She will improve your writing, she will make you think, she will help you as much as she can. One of the best professors I've ever had, and certainly the most influential on my writing.

An excellent professor. She's tough, but she's a teacher you can both like and respect, and in the end you'll want to do well for her. Your writing will definitely improve if you take her class.

Maria is one of the best professors I have had at BU. The class is very demanding but your writing will def. improve.

Maria does have some high expectations for her students, but she really does help, ESPECIALLY if you go to office hours. Maria credits you for your effort. Whether you hate writing or not, your writing will improve dramatically by the end of this course. I loved this class, and I would definitely take it again.

I'm not sure she knows that I take other classes that actually pertain to my major and that I'm shelling out obscene amounts of money to study them--not Russian literature. As far as she's concerned, her class should be my first priority, and maybe then she might consider giving me a B. She's nice enough but her expectations are ridiculous.

Maria is great. She's passionate and devoted, and she makes it her responsibility that you improve your writing. Meetings with her are very beneficial, and she will always set aside time to help. I was not interested in this class at all in the beginning but now I can say that I'm glad I took it. If you're willing to do the work, take this class!

Maria is going to push you- but it will only help your writing. In writing each paper, she met with me outside of class whenever needed. Afterwards, she left clear, thoughtful comments on my analysis and style. The material is difficult reading, but her excitement for the text will rub off on you. Will prepare you for college writing.

Don't let comments on here psyche you out. I did, got a B+ on Paper 1, thought it was all downhill from there, and would have failed the course had it not been for her pretty understanding nature. It's not easy to get great grades from her but if you demonstrate interest, you will be pleasantly surprised. DO THE WORK and I promise you will be fine.

Without a doubt, this was one of the hardest classes I have taken thus far, but I have gotten more out of it than from other classes. She will make you work extremely hard and has high expectations, but in the end it is effective. My writing is definitely better than before. All the hard work (and there's lots of work to be done) was worth it.

Maria was a hard professor and assigned quite a bit of work, but she was very understanding and really challenges you only to improve your writing. So even though it's not always enjoyable, if you're a serious writer, you will probably be thankful for her class.

Most reviewers seemed to find this class difficult. The only way this could be true is if one didnt like to turn in assignments. I found the class EASY, as she gave very clear instructions and objectively stated her expectations per assignment. She also responded to emails in < 2 hours. Overall, an excellent, hardworking and understanding teacher.

Maria was a great professor. Her class was intense but she really cares about helping you develop your writing skills. She will push you but you will DEFINITELY be a better writer for it! Even though it was exhausting I'm glad I took her class.

She is an EXCELLENT professor! If you are looking for an easy way out, do not take the class. If you do not know who Bulgakov is before, it will most likely be your favorite author by the end of the semester. I am Russian, so I really can compare how this book was taught to me before and I can really see that she really knows the subject.

She is a very intense teacher who doesn't care about her students or understand them in the slightest. She assigns too much work and grades them strictly. She is helpful but only if you are very hardworking. She will make fun of you in front of other students if your paper sucks. Overall, try avoiding this class if possible. Make your life easier.

She actually writes down the days you are absent. There is a bunch of reading and has conferences with you during essay times. The first conference is 30 minutes and the next one is 1 hour long. Unless you are very specific in what you need help with, she won't be much of a help. Do the reading, or essays will be tough to do. Sometimes calls on you

She is a wonderful professor. Yes she is tough and expects a lot! However, her passion for what she teaches, and the fact that she took core, really helps because she is enthusiastic. She can get overly enthusiastic, though. Really improved my writing.

Maria was really enthusiastic about our course, Visions of Justice. I had minimal interest going in, but she really let us explore anything we want so we could grow as writers. Lot's of students complain about her, but it's childish because she really assigns the minimum for homework and meets with you a lot so you can do well on papers.

Although her handouts can be confusing, Prof. Gapotchenko is always willing to work with you, even when you forget stuff at home and when you schedule the meeting last minute. Don't expect easiness though. For every assignment I worked till the last minute and went to writing tutors. The class is definitely enlightening-TAKE IT.

Maria is an incredibly sweet teacher, I would recommend taking her discussion class for CORE. She is sweet and encourages discussion and is really helpful. It's very useful to go see her and talk about the stuff you don't understand. She does grade harshly but she is also very helpful and her class is fun. If you work hard, you can do well!

Maria is the best writing/english teacher I have ever had. She has transformed my writing skills from the beginning of CC101 to now the end of CC102 (I had her twice in Core). While she is tough, she genuinely cares about all of her students and wants them to succeed. She will bring out your intellectual side in class. Use her help and office hours

Maria cares very much about her students succeeding but she is overly petty and strict. You absolutely cannot miss class and she she is probably the toughest grader I have ever had. She tries to help a lot with the paper's but never clearly explains what she wants, leaving most students with a bad grade.

Maria is one of the best writing teachers that I have ever had. I have seen a steady improvement in my work throughout the semester which is definitely due to her. Note, however, this is not an easy class by any means. It's primarily discussion based, and she will sometimes cold call you, and challenge your views if they are not founded.

Maria is one of the best writing professors I have ever had so far. She understands that Core books are hard and enthusiastically encourages our critical thinking skills during discussions. She is extremely helpful during office hours and is clear about what she expects from your paper.

She is for sure going to take apart your writing assignments, but that's a good thing. She recognizes improvement and for everything, she marks she gives excellent feedback and suggestion. Make sure you talk in class! Her insight is great and with such complex ideas the more voices in the conversation the better.

I graduated 8 years ago and still remember Professor Gapotchenko's excellent feedback and insights. She will make you a better writer. You need to be able to take the criticism on the chin and want to improve. She will work with you if you make the effort.

Professor G is an absolute gem of a professor. Her passion for teaching and the topic covered in our course inspired and motivated students. She truly cares about the success and well being of EACH and EVERY student. I had her during the COVID Pandemic and she was extremely understanding, kind, and helpful.

Prof Gapotchenko is simply the most dedicated and supportive teacher I've ever had. She will make you a better writer, and the workload is manageable, and the grading fair....

Professor Gapotchenko is a challenging professor but she really does cause a lot of improvement in your writing. She will cold call and challenge you in discussions but her feedback really helps and she cares a lot about improving the writing progress of the student.

Loved having her as a professor! She assigns a fair amount of work but if you do it well and submit on time, you will succeed. I had her during COVID and she was very understanding and lenient (gave extensions, etc). Cares a lot about her students' success and wants everyone to improve their writing.

Professor G. is an excellent teacher. Though she is a tough grader, she cares about improving your writing and will make you work for the grade. She is personable and caring, and her class was definitely one of my favorites. Be open to constructive criticism, and you will improve as a writer.

Professor G is awesome! It's obvious she loves what she is teaching and her passion is super contagious. The course is a lot of work, but she really wants her students to succeed and improve at writing. She was very understanding and flexible during the transition to remote learning. Taken Spring 2020.

After the first week, I developed an aversion towards the class: assigns a lot, had difficulty balancing. But, she is the one professor I will never forget. Her class definitely helped me grow in my writing. If you actually pay attention, take her advice, & apply her advice to ur writing, you will succeed not only in class, but in your writing too.

An absolutely amazing teacher. Her passion and care for what she is teaching and for her students is contagious. I took this class randomly and it left a mark on me. She is one of the teachers I will remember after leaving BU. Pretty tough but for good reason, she cares and wants you to care. Please take this class and take it with Professor G.

Very high work load but it is all worth it because Professor G gives amazing feedback and cares about the improvement of every single one of her students. The texts are super interesting and she encourages us to think outside of the box.

The class was very difficult. She pushes you to completely immerse yourself with the material. However, this means that you always have to keep up with a significant amount of reading and homework. If you are eager to learn, she will always be there to help you. But keep in mind that if you take this course from her, you have to put in the work.

As long as you keep up with the readings, make an effort to contribute in class, and follow the grading contract you will be fine. Her office hours are very helpful, and she genuinely wants to see you grow as a writer. She appreciates it when you demonstrate effort.

Professor G runs a challenging but rewarding class. The workload is heavy, but her detailed feedback helps you grow as a writer. Use Unstuckstudy and the free textbook to stay on top of things.