Wake Technical Community College- Southern Wake Campus

The classes I'm currently taking are straight forward and the professors I have make the coursework easily understandable while also creating a challenge that can create growth. The food is also pretty good.

I’ve had the worst experience trying to go back to school in my 30’s here. The lack of communication in general and between admissions and certain programs is seriously lacking. While I had a good experiences with the individuals in the admissions department they just don’t have a good system in place or training to know what each department needs for you to be prepared for classes. The amount of times I’ve tried to reach out to the individual department heads and got ZERO to very delayed responses is ridiculous. I ended up going private and it’s been the best experience in continuing my education. Highly recommend looking into other community schools or private if that fits your means.

I went to a Notary Public class and the class was led by a great instructor who made it fun and entertaining and I was happy to pass the exam to become a notary. However, when we talked about how to sign and our signature, I had a question as my signature is unique. He confirmed it with the SOS and he said I’ll be good to go. Well, I was lied to. When I mailed in my paperwork I didn’t hear back for the longest so I called and they claimed they didn’t receive it on time so they told me I have to re-take the class and of course pay again. I told them I had mailed it way before the end date and I had to email them the USPS receipt as proof. They accepted my application and processed it. However, due to my unique signature they ended up denying it. When I told them the reason behind it and the fact that it was confirmed with the instructor and SOS saying that it’ll be fine, they didn’t even care about it. They said “you can’t sign it like that”. I have signed everything the same way for 30+ years! Wouldn’t you think someone is trying to forge my signature when I don’t even sign that way? After a month of back and forth with them, sending multiple documents (passport, driver’s license etc.) as proof (that they didn’t care about either) that I have signed my name the same way since I was able to write, I gave in and signed it the way they wanted me to as I needed to be a notary for my job. I was also on the phone with the instructor and SOS who both ended up saying they never told me that about my signature and he rudely asked me “Do you even know who you’re talking to?” because I was upset about being lied to and switched up on! I didn’t care for her title, especially not with both of their nasty attitude towards me. Months later I received an email about me having to send in proof due to my status as a non-US citizen in order for me to stay a notary which I wasn’t aware I would have to either as my stamp didn’t expire until 2 years later! I replied letting them know I have moved out of state and they asked me to mail a letter of resignation and my stamp. I mailed it in, they received it 3 days later and then I got an email one month after they received it stating they received the stamp but not the letter. How? It was in the same envelope. So I emailed them the same letter as I made a copy for myself and they replied stating they received it. Just an FYI to everyone that works at this place, people from different countries and different cultures may do things differently than people who were born and went to school in the US and you need to be more open to that. I get that there are certain things that have to be a certain way but denying someone’s signature and handwriting is a little too much especially not getting an explanation why and after being told it won’t be a problem.

As a college student in Southern Wake Tech, its a decent place to learn and explore, but it could be better if they made it interesting with new things to add in like food areas which was either one or not there when I went there, add more classes to learn more of different subjects and the Bookstore could add better equipment, supplies and merchandises if any students of Wake Tech want to support their school.

There's not enough staff to serve the students they already have. Advisors aren't available, not enough instructors, full waiting lists for general education courses.

The International Student Office is a joke. Anyone who's applying here as an International Student, do not. I myself applied as a local and they somehow managed to put me under the International Student status and has my account on hold. I missed my class registration date and couldn't register my classes at all because my account is on hold for unknown reasons. Called them on the same date of class registration, NEVER picked up the phone. Called the next day. Same stuff. Kept sending me into their voicemail. Plus they don't even have those International Student Offices in every campus. They only have it at their main campus which is here and the other location I don't know of. Convenient much. Don't even get me started on ADVISING. They don't explain stuff to you. Literally just put how ever much classes you want under ur profile. Asks if you have any questions and tells you, you can go. You call this ADVISING??

I’ll be completely honest the reason they get this low of rating is strictly because of their Financial Aid Department. They are quite incompetent to be honest. you can’t reach anybody when you do end up finally talking to a person. If you are a virtual student, they are not set up to accommodate you whatsoever. I was quite literally told on a phone call that it would be better for me to come in person because I’m more likely to get my situation rectified the whole reason I’m a virtual student is because I don’t live close to the campus and it’s one of the better community colleges in the state. That and it takes up to an hour and 30 minutes To actually talk to a real human and that’s if they answer the phone I’ve been hung up on multiple times. The professors are good for the most part I have encountered a few bad ones but they have a decent staffing directory.

Academic Advising was fast and helpful. I received answers and direction to all my questions.

This is one of the best schools to go to if you want an associates degree. They teach the information in depth and answer questions happily. I have never had a "bad" teacher here, every one of them I have had was qualified or perhaps over qualified for their positions. This school does a good job in training students for the real world.

I’ve spent 29 years teaching at Wake Tech and have taken a number of classes here too. I know what it’s like at Wake and I am telling the unvarnished truth about it. I’m retiring soon so it’s not about getting a promotion! Generally speaking the facilities, faculty and quality of education are really very good - in addition the price is still reasonable. Don’t be conned by private educational facilities that promise you a “great job” after graduation and then put you in a low end, minimum wage job where you can’t even afford to pay off your pricey school loans (this happened to a friend of mine). Go to WT and get a better education for a fraction of the cost - you will leave with real skills and THAT’S how you get a job - with knowledge. Plus Wake has a solid reputation with employers. Yes, there are aspects of the school that are unfortunate - I hear complaints from my students, and there are a number of policies that drive the faculty crazy too - much of it is due to the typical bureaucracy that seems inevitable with very large institutions. Is it really better elsewhere? Maybe. Maybe not. Nonetheless, if you go with the sincere desire and motivation to learn, and you treat your teachers and fellow students with respect - you will be supported by all and do well. The ILC really is a remarkable facility and is intended to help struggling students succeed. When it comes to the financial aid office I hear the best approach is to fill out ALL the paperwork that is required COMPLETELY and ON TIME. Follow instructions, that should go a long way to making the process easier.