Eckerd College
Reviews

Drugs everywhere

There are sooo many kids that do drugs on our campus it's insane, particularly all the kappa kids. Its hard to avoid but I guess if you are away from those kids you can stay away from the drugs.I think the reason for all the drug use is because of the lax security, ive seen kids just drinking, smoking weed and dropping acid right in front of security guards and nothing happens..

Awesome Dorm Living

Dorm life at Eckerd college is excellent. All the dorms besides the sigma dorm are centrally located-close to everything on campus. Rooms are generally larger then most other dorms at other schools I've visited. Close to 90% of all students live on campus which is great for social life. There are traditional dorms great for freshman that encourage social life and "friend making." There are also two apartment style dorms that are great for upperclassmen. Also, the view from a select few of the dorms are amazing, overlooking the beautiful Tampa Bay. The price is a average for dorm living, but when else are you going to be living on the water, basically almost beachfront property, oh yeah there's a beach located on campus. Laundry machines located in all the dorms complexes and the cost to do laundry is honestly way cheaper than at many other school, a full load-wash and dry is only $1.25. Traditional dorms all have centrally located communial bathrooms, clean and convienent. The apartment style dorms all have private bathrooms attached to the rooms. The sigma dorm also has bathrooms attached to each room because it is a converted hotel, but sigma is located, almost isolated at the front of campus. Overall dorm living is awesome.

Amazing

The academics offered at Eckerd are exceptional. The colleges proximity to the ocean allows for some of the best hands on experience for anyone interested in any sort of marine related study. The professors are amazing, charming, nice and extremely knowledgable. I have friends who are marine science majors and havent once yet actually gone out into the field, the beach, estuaries ect. Within the first week of being in class, I was out in the bay collecting samples and learning about marine life hands on and not from a textbook or pictures like at many other schools. The marine science department is just a prime example of what else Eckerd has to offer with its many other programs. Grade A school!

It Is Very Unique

We have a marina on our campus that is used for classes, leisure,sports, and our famous EC Search and Rescue program.

It Gets Rowdy

Our campus has parties at every dorm every weekend night and often on some weekday nights. The campus is very safe and there is rarely ever and violence or theft. It is very loud and hard to sleep sometimes, because people are often up until five in the morning.

Positive Local Atmosphere

Living in St. Petersburg, there is endless activities and attractions, ranging from spending the day at the beach to shopping at the mall to strolling in downtown St. Pete. across the boardwalk where there are endless shopping attractions and food establishments. There is bowling, ice rinks during the winter season, movie theaters, the Saturday morning market to support local townspeople, and museums. If one can get into Tampa, a short drive from here, they can go to football and baseball games, Hard Rock cafe where it's legal to gamble, the international mall, and so much more. The area of St Petersburg has a generally positive outlook on the students who bring them a lot of business and give the students amazing discounts to encourage the support the students give them. Overall the local atmosphere is a very positive, inviting one.

Eckerd College Waterfront

At Eckerd college we have the splendor of waterfront property all around campus. ON the East side on the creek we have a waterfront marina. It houses all of the sailboats, power boats, kayaks, paddle boards, fishing equipment, camping equipment, wake-boarding boats and the list goes on. It is one of the best places to relax while getting some diverse exercise out on Boca Ciega bay.

Perfect School

Eckerd College is the best school I could have attended. The class sizes are small, and the professors know who you are, but more importantly, they care about you too. Each student is assigned a mentor that will guide him or her throughout the 4 years at Eckerd. The student body is so incredibly diverse and there is such amazing opportunity to study abroad.

Beautiful Campus/Great Academics

I came to Eckerd College so I could be close to home and live by the beach. The classes are smaller in size and the instructors care that you are in class and are willing to help you.

Good Food, but Limited Options

Eckerd has one real caf, one tiny caf on the edge of campus, and the pub. The cafs are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the food is good, although if you eat there every day it can definitely get old. The pub is also delicious with made-to-order food and is open all day, but again, it has limited options and can get very repetitive.

Spring Break Trips

Eckerd College is one of the few colleges that offers spring break service trips. This allows students to travel to different areas including different countries. While the students are on these trips they will be learning about the culture and assisting in different projects. If you want to travel to a different country the cost is on average $500 total this is including travel costs. There was a trip recently that went to Panama where the students would help out at an orphanage; taking care of the children and building structures. Another trip was to Costa Rica where the students would help build enclosures for animals at a wildlife reservation. This is a unique way for students to get involved and travel.

They Will Ticket You!

They ticket you for anything and everything, and the fines are quite hefty after they add up. Freshman parking is out in a dirt lot away from everything, and there is not enough spots for everyone else.

Guys and Girls

Ladies, it is slim pickings. Do not come here expecting to find a dating scene because it does not exist. For someone used to dating, it was a huge shock, and it will probably be one of the strangest social scenes you have ever experienced. There are more girls then guys and some are pretty decent, but there is a high gay population. The only way you will ever find anyone is if you fit into the mold of a hippie and find another similar hippie to date you, if he isn't too busy smoking pot.

Don't Go Off Campus

Eckerd is like a little bubble in the city of St. Petersburg. If you go off campus, you will miss everything and be completely secluded. It is not ideal, and many wish there were more options and that Eckerd was more in the community. The dorms on campus are decent, however, especially the upperclassman dorm Omega.

There is none, which is great

It's awesome because there's no segregation or discrimination.

Good Variety

Sports are not very competitive, but there's lots of options.

Cafeteria and Pub

The food is good but very repetitive.

St. Pete is very bike friendly

Campus is quite easy to walk around; you can easily walk from one end of campus to the other in less than 20 minutes. Off campus, St. Pete doesn't have great public transportation. The PSTA buses are all right but can be quite slow. It is preferred to have a car, and if you do not have a car, your friends should. Bikes are a good idea; St. Pete is ranked one of the most bike-friendly towns.

An Intimate Academic Environment

The professors are extremely dedicated and passionate. They are always willing to talk with a student on a one-on-one basis, and they will always know your name and make small talk. It is the kind of environment in which you really cannot hide from your professors. I have found the workload to be moderate.

Lots of computers in library

There are great computer services at Eckerd. The library has a huge number of computers for students to use at any time.

Kappa, Nu, Omega, or Bust

Off-campus parties are great, but if you're under 21, there's no nightlife off campus. On campus, check out Kappa, Nu, or Omega.

They Are Pretty Relaxed, Just Don't Cheat

Pledging honesty is a big deal. The school wants you to be empowered and feel obligated to monitor your own behavior and the behavior of others.

Keep Detailed Notes

At the end of the year they try to take as much money from you as possible, even if damage was there before. Then they don't fix it anyways.

Security!!

Fat guys on golf carts! Our school is very secluded, and although security is pretty laid-back, I’ve never had any problems and never felt unsafe.

Chill St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg has a lot to offer, great nightlife, and lots of local events. Eckerd is located near several beaches, including Ft. De Soto beach, which has been rated one of the top beaches in the US. We are right across the bridge from Tampa, a city with even more to offer than St Pete. St. Pete, however, has one of the highest populations of homeless people in the U.S.