Tom Akbari is an English professor at Northeastern University rated 3.73/5 on Rate My Professors by 26 students, with 3.1/5 RMP difficulty and 75% who would take them again (RateMyProfessors + Reddit, updated October 2026).
Tom Akbari professor reviews and ratings: 3.73/5 from 26 RMP ratings at Northeastern (75% would take again). RateMyProfessor + Reddit.
I LOVED Professor Akbari. He's a great guy, great sense of humor, and he's very chill. He wants his students to do well and is very easy to talk to. Definitely recommend taking him for advanced writing.ENGW3307 2026-04-09 19:15:38 +0000 UTC
Extremely verbose guy to the point that assignments are difficult to parse through to figure out what he actually wants from you. Only 4 assignments for the whole semester, 2 of which are kind of useless. Very slow grader with relatively inconsistent feedback, but easy A if you follow the rubric and scattered instructions in his lengthy documents.ENGW3308 2025-12-17 02:27:09 +0000 UTC
Solid teacher & good guy, class is very politically polarizing which is annoying. Show up to class and you'll do fine.ENGL1111 2025-04-23 15:44:14 +0000 UTC
I enjoyed Akbari. He's passionate and enjoys talking about currents events. He loves to laugh at his own jokes (which usually aren't funny), but overall I really don't have much to complain about. If you're a strong writer this class will be very easy, but he will also try to push you to get better. The four major essays determine the grade.ENGW1111 2025-04-20 18:07:23 +0000 UTC
Extremely good feedback on your writing. You only get feedback once a paper is submitted. Professor is extremely kind and caring, always available to chat.ENG302 2023-05-02 00:18:46 +0000 UTC
He is the BEST! His assignments are hard yet interesting and he is very inspiring and caring, but you need to work hard to get a good grade.3315 2022-06-30 17:21:57 +0000 UTC
This professor was intimidated by actual writing in the sciences. He had no clue about basic scientific literature, and clearly needs to become more updated in the field. I would avoid taking at all costs, this class will make you a worse writerENGL3301 2019-04-28 03:12:46 +0000 UTC
Don't be afraid if you get 5 hours of homework in one weekend. Deadlines for papers are reasonable for the most part.ENG111 2017-03-20 11:00:11 +0000 UTC
Relies heavily on peer reviews and doesn't give his own feedback on rough drafts before final papers are due. Only grades final papers (only feedback you get is after final grade) & grades as if he told you what you had done wrong & you didn't fix it. Feedback & instruction is lengthy, sometimes hard to understand. 10/10 would suggest dif prof.ENGW3315 2016-08-04 10:31:19 +0000 UTC
he clearly failed at being a writer and now thinks his adjunct professor elective classes are doctoral symposiums on literature.ENG4667 2016-04-25 16:15:28 +0000 UTC
I took Advanced Writing in Literature with Tom Akbari. His lectures are repetitive, he refuses to clarify anything, and is very close-minded despite his lip service to open-mindedness. Absolutely do not take a class with him.ENG02 2009-12-11 11:57:01 +0000 UTC
He has the worst grading policies, essays are 1000 words long minus the semi final essay which was 2500 words. 5 essays in all. no final but very boring in class. Take this class online if you can. English 302 aka Advanced Writing for the DisciplinesENGLENGL 2009-12-03 18:15:40 +0000 UTC
He is a great guy who seems to want to help you learn the material. Sometimes he isnt the greatest for advice but still a great prof.E25 2009-11-29 16:34:24 +0000 UTC
"How did Tom Akbari treat his students during COVID-19?" Absolutely hands down the best professor I've seen across multiple universities. Helped students move with his own personal van when everyone was kicked off-campus housing, sent emails immediately asking about personal situations and whether they needed help or aid. He ��checked ��in ��!ENGW3307 2020-04-08 02:23:48 +0000 UTC
take him he's coolENGL1111 2017-03-16 11:12:24 +0000 UTC
Tom Akbari is rated 3.73/5 on Rate My Professors from 26 ratings. 75% of RMP reviewers said they would take them again.
Tom Akbari's classes have a difficulty rating of 3.1/5 on Rate My Professors.
Tom Akbari has taught ENGW1111, ENGW3307, ENGW3308, ENGW3315 at Northeastern.
Data updated October 2026.