Eckerd College

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Students Say - Academics
Eckerd College "in sunny Florida" is "a small, personable college with beach bum flare" that offers a "well-rounded," "excellent liberal arts education" and a "beautiful beachfront environment." Standouts include a "great" marine science program-"one of the best in the country" according to scores of students-and "many opportunities for" "freakin' awesome internships." "We also have a really good study-abroad program," notes a sophomore. Eckerd really emphasizes international travel and you can study in a host of far-flung locales during your career here. The academic environment is "challenging but not too rough." In addition to your basic two semesters each year, Eckerd has a fairly unique winter term that allows students to focus on one course intensively. You'll find "some horrid teachers" but most classes are "extremely interesting." Professors tend to "encourage discussion," and "you can build very close relationships" with them. "I enjoy that I am not in a room filled with 300 students," relates a human development major. "I get one-on-one help when I need it. The professors seem to love their jobs and love helping students." "Professors are almost always accessible outside of the classroom and love to see you succeed in classes," adds an environmental studies major.

Students Say - Campus Life
The food on campus is "not so good," and "the older dorms need some work." Also, the campus is "fairly secluded from St. Petersburg, so getting anywhere without a car is difficult." Otherwise, though, life here is grand. "We call it Camp Eckerd," relates a sophomore. Students say the campus is "very easy to get around." The weather is perpetually warm. "You never have to wear shoes." The atmosphere is "laidback." At the same time, "There is always some type of school- or organization-sponsored event going on." Students are also "very active in the outdoors," not least because the campus is "surrounded by water on three sides." The "really awesome" waterfront program allows students to check out kayaks and boats. You can also take sailing and windsurfing classes. The party scene here is by all accounts outstanding. "Weekends are pretty crazy," explains a senior. "Thursday through Saturday it is not hard to find...some kind of themed party in upper-class dorms." "A lot of beer is consumed on the weekends," observes an awed first-year student. When you feel the urge to get away, two gorgeous beaches are very nearby. Downtown Tampa is only a half-hour from campus, and Busch Gardens and Disney World are within a reasonable drive as well.

Students Say - Student Body
Picture what would happen if you combined the school stoner, the class president, the jock, and the funny guy, depicts a first-year student. "Now, subtract the shoes and add a perfect tan." That, in a nutshell, is the typical undergrad at Eckerd. "Students here have a lot of self-confidence" and they are "surprisingly friendly." Most are "pretty physically fit and outdoorsy." It's hard to generalize about this place, though. Many students don't fit that profile at all. "There is a hodgepodge of people." Students "range from complete hippies, to alternative, to party girls," to "pale-skinned gamers," to "artsy marine science people." There's also the jock, the "indie-rocker," and "the math nerd." Cliques happen, especially among athletes, but "everyone can hang out with everyone with 100 percent comfort." "People smile at each other and say hey," describes a senior. "It is a pretty relaxed and friendly atmosphere."

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