Tough class, tough grader, but made me a better writer.Class discussions were intense - you do better if you act like you are actually in the class. She is very flexible if you come to her and she will try to help you.

This was an extremely interesting and informative class. She is very helpful and always makes sure to schedule her time to help you as much as possible. Class discussions and exercises are original and fun. She tries to go in the direction that is most helpful for the specific people. Great professor and class.

She is a good teacher but you have to get the best out of her. She is a little hard, but I personally did improve my writing. Go to her office hours frequently, do the reading for class, and you'll do fine.

This is definitely a hard class becuase Melanie is a very, very tough grader, but contrary to what the other comments say, it is possible to get an A in the class. The class itself was very interesting and covered a lot of disturbing public health issues, you may never look at food the same way! I liked this class, but in NO way is it an easy A.

Yes, her class is fairly hard and the essays are extremely comprehensive. She expects a lot of her students, especially in the analysis department. But my writing has done a 180 this semester from boring and academic to interesting and functional. Also, the class topic is incredibly interesting, especially for anti-English scientists like me.

Professor Smith is a wonderful professor who teaches well, has passion about Public Health, and genuinely believes in challenging her students and helping them "figure out" their own opinions. I personally benefited greatly from her class. Take her Selected Topics in the History of Public Health, put in the work - and you will have a wonderful time

Melanie is a great professor and tries her best to make writing as painless as possible. Much of the reading is not from the textbook and mostly articles online. You must work hard to get the grade you want and she is very willing to help if you go to her office hours which she makes flexible and is willing to meet with you when you can.

Melanie is VERY helpful if you attend her office hours with specific questions. She is tough grader so you have to do the readings and work hard to do well in the class. She is not rude but she will call you out if you aren't paying attention or never contribute to class discussions.

If you aren't interested in public health issues, don't take the class. It will make it hard to produce the level of analysis she expects and you will end up as one of the commenters below who blame the teacher for their own poor performance.

Melanie is a great professor. She is tough, and serious, but she loves the public health field, and loves her students. The course is difficult, and you must put in a lot of work and time, but go to her office hours, she will help! I absolutely recommend taking this course if you want a great professor and an interesting WR150 class!

Even if you are not interested in this topic, it is much more exciting than analyzing literature, and is easy to research. Her expectations are what any college professor's would be for writing ability. Not an easy A, but your writing skills will improve so much and you will excell in other writing classes in the future. Not for slackers or fakers.

Melanies public health writing class is not as hard as this website makes it seem. She always makes the assignment pretty clear and give evryone feedback, do what she tells you to do in the paper and youll be fine. She is also extremely nice, doesnt penalize me for lateness all the time, and makes the topic interesting.

When I read the comments here after I signed up for this class, I was quite alarmed. Now that the semester is over, I honestly feel like I must have had a different teacher. Yes, Melanie can be a bit sarcastic, but it's all in good humor. Her grading is fair, and I actually learned something, but I wouldn't recommend this class to a slacker.

I wasn't looking forward to taking a writing class in this topic, but it turned out to be an interesting class. Miss Smith will help you if you need/ask for it, the class is what you make it.

Ms. Smith is amazing! To do well in the class you have to work hard, but its completely worth it. I learned so much in her class. She is very friendly during office hours and will really help you improve your writing if you ask for help. My favorite class 1st semester. Take this class seriously and you will benefit.

Prof. Smith is very helpful when you meet her in office hours or when you may ask questions in class. However, she isn't very good at explaining assignments/essay prompts to the class. Be willing to invest a lot of time into this class. Overall, it was enjoyable. Be willing to deal with her complaining though towards the end of the semester.

A great writing class for people who hate english and analyzing literature. Melanie is a tough professor, but my writing has improved so much over the semester. Definitely not an easy A, but if you put the work it, very doable. Definitely go to office hours and meet with her as much as possible for the papers and you'll do fine.

Melanie is intimidating at first, but she is so helpful. She is tough, but you learn so much, it is worth it. The context covered in the course is so interesting. She is good at stimulating interest in writing ans in public health. I would recommend her class. You will become such a better writter and learn some interesting things.

Ms. Smith is honestly a good teacher. Although she seems tough she really is a cool person. She has a passion for what she teaches and enjoys teaching it. I highly recommend this class. Very interesting, sometimes entertaining and not as difficult as analyzing literature.

I was intimidated by her at first because of some of the posts on here, but after getting to know her she's not that bad. I was worried about getting a good grade in this class, but her comments on your paper are very helpful and if you take time to correct you'll be fine. She cares very much about the topic and that comes through in her teaching.

Interesting course material, very helpful with clear expectations. If she sees that you're putting in work and really care, she will absolutely help you out. Awesome teacher, kind of sarcastic, but in a good way. I actually feel like I learned from this class. I definitely recommend her.

Ms. Smith is a great teacher, but she does choose favorites, of which I was not one. If you get sick in this class, you *must* keep on top of everything, otherwise your grade will plummet. While I work my hardest and I have a huge interest in this class, I've also been sick and I've been getting nothing but C's.

I thought that this class was interesting. Professor Smith is a hard grader, but if you go to her office hours and show that you care about improving your writing, she will be compassionate and tell you what to do to get a better grade. She assigns a lot of reading assignments, but it helps your papers.

Was hard but great teacher. She was very clear and helpful with nice sarcastic sense of humor. Dont take her class if you arent interested in the topic tho

Ms. Smith was a great teacher. One of my favorites at BU. Can be a tough grader but is extremely helpful and always willing to talk over your paper as many times as you need. One of the few professors Ive had that genuinely cares about you doing well. Was not looking forward to this class but once I finished I was glad I took it and met Ms. Smith

Prof. Smith is a tough grader, but she's helpful if you make an effort in her class and go to office hours. Super funny too!

In college writing classes, there is no such thing as an easy A. The professors expect you to work for your grade and Prof Smith is an example of one of them. Going to office hours are part are her curriculum, so definitely make use of going, she gives good feedback on how to improve your papers and what to do better, etc.

I don't understand how some could dislike her. Sure, you have to write a lot of papers, but you genuinely learn a lot from her and she is a truly caring person. She edits all of your drafts and gives constructive feedback. You work hard? She works harder than you do, and you come out better for it. I appreciated it as a ESL student.

Melanie is tough but I came out of this class a MUCH better writer. She gives a lot of time to prepare for papers, has very accessible outside of class, and is very willing to tell you what she wants to see in papers. Her feedback is great and she works very hard to make sure students know how to improve. Would definitely recommend.

I took Ethical Missteps with Ms. Smith. No words can describe how much thought and care go into her class and her feedback. I have, without a doubt, become a much better writer, and the subject material covers many of the ethics issues learned about in Medical School. HIGHLY recommended class, and highly recommended teacher.

Melanie is an absolutely wonderful professor. She's incredibly qualified and, not to mention, really funny. Take her class!

A really great and fun professor. The grading is focused more on research than grammar style and she is really helpful to students who take an interest in the class through verbal feedback (sometimes her notes are not the most readable. Helps generate interest in the class

Professor Smith is a wonderful professor and person. If you pay attention to the tips she gives in class and come to office hours with specific questions, an A is totally in reach if you work hard. Make sure you participate as much as possible in class, that can be the difference in a letter grade (I tend to be quiet, hence the A- instead of an A)

Prof. Smith is an excellent professor to take in a writing course, especially any course related to Public Health. Amidst the COVID pandemic, she was understanding and caring, and in general I believe she was truly a great professor to have when you need feedback for your writing and she helps you understand how to actually write a paper.

Ethical Missteps in Public Health was great w/ Smith! Class gets a little boring, but the material is interesting. Biggest downsides are 10min office hour appts and little grading criteria, but if you work hard, SHE WORKS HARDER! Great class if you're premed btw! Overall, she's great and truly cares for her students, evident during COVID. Love her!

I would agree and say that she's a tough grader, but she makes up for it by being the most caring and understanding teacher I have ever had. During the covid pandemic, she made sure to ask us if we were okay. I did bad on my first paper, and she allowed me and others to rewrite a paragraph for credit. She gives amazing feedback &office hours help.

Definitely not an easy A but so worth it. The material is really thought provoking and she really cares about your understanding/development as a writer. 100% a tough grader so office hours are a must. Worth it, but be prepared to do a fair amount of reading, work, editing, and revising.

Prof.S is the best I've had at BU so far. She is a gem of a person. She provides meaningful feedback and is genuinely interested in your views. She has office hours often and is very clear about the syllabus/ grading/ assignments. You have to attend class, do the readings and participate to get a good grade. TAKE HER CLASS, YOU WILL LOVE IT.

Definitely a tough grader. There is a great need for you to attend her office hours. Professor Smith is really a nice teacher. If you are prepared to work hard and challenge yourself, you could improve a lot after the class.

Prof. Smith is a solid choice. Her class is graded by 4 papers and a participation grade. She has office hours almost every day of the week (but you can only sign up for 10 minute slots). Attending office hours is a must if you want to do well in this class.

I considered dropping her class, but I'm glad that I stayed. She's arguably one of the most caring teachers that I've ever had, and she genuinely does help during office hours. She may seem like a hard teacher at first, but I feel like it was more of a show to scare students. She is really a good person, and she does care for each student.

I loved her class! She is a harsh grader but she truly wants the best for her students.

Insanely good feedback for each and every essay. Office hours are short, but they help a lot. I've definitely improved a significant amount as a writer thanks to Professor Smith.

Prof Smith does seem a little intimidating at first, but she's really caring for her students and wants to see them succeed. If you put the effort into this class, you'll do fine.

While intimidating at first, Professor Smith is an amazing instructor and definitely helped me improve my writing. The topic for wr120 was super interesting and relevant. There's 3 papers, plus a few assignments here and there, but other than that there isn't much work. Would definitely take again!

Prof Smith is overall a decent WR120 teacher. I would say her class leans on the more difficult side of the other WR120 classes. It's heavy reading/writing and her grading scale is very unclear. Her lectures are engaging though and participating in this class is a must. Also, attending her office hours definitely matters.

She might feel intimidating at first but is really nice and caring. She rarely gives any homework(if there were it was a few pages of really important reading), Her essays and grading is very strict, but if you put in the work and go to her office hours you should be fine.

Take her class! She is an amazing professor who clearly enjoys her work. She is very knowledgeable about writing, and that translates to great lessons. She is also funny. She supports you and encourages risk-taking for writers. Does contract grading. She is always open for office hours and to support you in becoming a better writer.

Professor Smith is SO sweet. If she gives you no feedback for your essay, everything is fine. Her lectures could be a little dry, but they are helpful with your papers. The papers are sort of interesting and could be long. If guidance is needed, ask Professor Smith and she would be more than happy to reply with help.

Prof Smith is honestly great. I showed up to the first few classes visibly disinterested but she pushed me to engage and supported me throughout the entirety of the semester. I would recommend picking her if you're ready to put in the effort for the A. She makes it clear what she expects and all you need to do is put in the hard work to get there.

As a female student, Professor Smith did have certain favorite students, usually male, but this did not impact my final grade at all. The course is a lot of work (more so than other WR120 classes), but Smith is a knowledgeable professor who grades fairly (very much an "effort grader"). It is obvious that she cares and I highly recommend this class.

The most incredible professor ever. She cares so deeply and is so understanding. She fueled my passion for writing. The 3 main assignments are very well explained and not hard at all. Contract grading, so less stressful. Be aware: the class discusses heavy topics (trauma, etc), so it might be a lot sometimes. Would take this class 100 times over.

Prof Smith has a strong character that some people may not like but she's a really good professor that has your well being in mind. The final project / paper you do have to read infront of the class but she's understanding and gives you the liberty to write about whatever personal story you want. It did not feel hostile like some ppl made it seem.