Websites that rate grade distributions may be gaining popularity among students, but University officials say face-to-face advising remains essential.

John Ambrose, interim dean for the division of undergraduate academic programs, said the value of websites catered toward advising is restricted.

“I think that sites such as pickaprof.com do have some value for students as they select courses, but its value is limited,” Ambrose said.

 According to Ambrose, some sites do provide course difficulty, grade distributions, a summary of the course and comments on the instructor, but he said there are various aspects to advising.

“Websites such as pickaprof.com may be valuable in selecting free electives or in selecting a section of a particular course, but I pity the student who selects all of their courses based on such recommendations,” Ambrose said.

Ambrose said advising focuses on some of the basic questions students should consider like career plans, job environment, majors and appropriate courses.

Roxanna McGraw, director for the office of advising and student services, said the University strives to develop personal relationships with students so they can help students make the right choice.

“It’s good to use technology and look at courses, etc., but we want to start an interpersonal relationship; get to know students, their educational plans, goals, interests and skills,” McGraw said.

McGraw said face-to-face advising develops mutual respect between students and advisers. In addition, a student’s majors, internships opportunities, job opportunities and their life after N.C. State are discussed.

McGraw said websites that rate the University’s academic side encourages students to make decisions based on another student’s performance.

“Interest level of students, their motivation level, compatibility with teaching style are not considered by such websites. That’s why lot of value is added with advising experience,” Mcgraw said.

According to Dr. Ambrose, there is lot of information available online about advising, but a lot of time needs to be spent to find such information.

“It is important to consider that advisers are experts on that information. A student can spend a large amount of time trying to navigate through the available information or they can go to a trained expert (an adviser) and move more efficiently through the information,” Ambrose said.

 Ambrose feels the entire University is under scrutiny and advising is a part of it. As the University continues to go through budget reductions, it is appropriate to evaluate all programs and activities.

“Not all instructors are excellent and neither are all advisers; however, I do believe that the overall quality of both is good,” Ambrose said.

Ambrose said competency instruments are being developed for all professional advisers.

“New training programs have been developed for advisers to maintain and improve their professional competencies; this information is being shared across campus,” Ambrose said.

McGraw said conversations about advising are great because they help increase standards of advising in future.

“This is a great opportunity for students to contribute, we have active participants and they are communicating their expectations and it’s encouraging,” McGraw said.

McGraw said it’s going to be a collaborative effort which will improve advising further as there is lot of willingness to participate.

“N.C. State’s administrators appreciate initiating conversation and there is lot of openness and willingness on part of students to respond,” McGraw said.

Roman Torres, a junior in mechanical engineering, said he uses the website www.pickaprof.com frequently, but he still thinks one-on-one advising is necessary.

“We have group advising having at least 30 people at one time, you have questions but they are not addressed, they just run through a presentation and that’s it,” Torres said.

Erin McCarroll, a sophomore in biological sciences, said she also uses similar websites but only for supplemental information.

“I am aware of pickaprof.com and I use it, it gives just general information.”

McCarroll said such websites don’t affect the importance of advising as they neither advise what classes to take nor consider interests.

Some students haven’t heard of similar sites.

Spencer Tracy, sophomore in computer science, said he wasn’t aware of www.pickaprof.com or similar websites, but felt the current advising model does have room for improvement.

“It is necessary but it could be improved, I had to stand in a giant line and they were trying to rush with me. I would prefer to have more personalized attention during advising,” Tracy said.

James Driscoll, a senior in mechanical engineering, said advising remains important because they advise you about course selection, what you need to do and your plan for graduation.

“I feel we need more advisers, they are people always busy with appointments, it takes a long time to get through as well,” Driscoll said.

Ambrose said some students shared examples of what they considered was poor advising but he feels that in the future the quality of advising will go up.

“I think we are making good progress in improving the overall level of advising at NC State and that the process will continue as the University develops and implements its new Strategic Plan, particularly with emphasis on student success,” Ambrose said.

According to Ambrose, the University is a very large and complex institution, which encompasses 12 colleges and almost 200 undergraduate degree choices. He said student advising plays a very important role in helping students to successfully and efficiently navigate the system.

“Student Government leaders have emphasized that advising is important for student success, I feel it is as important as providing seats in classes to students for students’ success,” Ambrose said.