火爆社区

The waterfront view from Eckerd College鈥檚 beach isn鈥檛 the only thing that wows students鈥攖he 鈥渢op notch academics鈥� of this Gulf Coast college 鈥渃ontinue to impress.鈥� In particular, some students appreciate the care that鈥檚 gone into the liberal arts curriculum to 鈥渕ake the classes fun and interesting鈥� and to ensure students 鈥渁re not pigeonholed into the skills associated with their major.鈥� As enrollees put it, they expect to graduate with a 鈥渨ide range of abilities, which make them attractive to employers.鈥� Eckerd enrolls just under 2,000 undergraduates, and the school鈥檚 small class sizes help 鈥渕aximize learning and personal connections to professors.鈥� Professors at Eckerd show a 鈥渓evel of genuine care鈥� and create 鈥渁n environment where it is easy for everybody to openly express their opinions without judgment.鈥� Students describe professors who are 鈥渁lways approachable on an academic and personal level.鈥� In short: 鈥淚f I have a question, it gets answered, simple as that.鈥� This supportive environment is underscored by Eckerd鈥檚 Mentor program, which pairs students with professors in their area of study to 鈥渉elp guide the student through choosing classes and registration, or anything else.鈥� Eckerd also has a standout study abroad program, in which over 500 students participate each year. In addition, as a member of the Peace Corps Prep undergraduate certificate program, over 150 Eckerd graduates have gone on to serve in (or in organizations like) the Peace Corps. Overall, Eckerd emphasizes an expansive education that creates 鈥渨ellrounded, educated people [ready] for the 鈥榬eal world,鈥� rather than for just one job.鈥�

Students describe their peers as a 鈥渂arefooted and brainy鈥� community that鈥檚 鈥渧ery relaxed鈥� and adopts a 鈥渓aid-back Florida attitude.鈥� That鈥檚 not to say everyone fits the same mold. Students say the college 鈥渉as a wide variety of students who all fit different niches.鈥� As one student elaborates, 鈥淚t isn鈥檛 unheard of to see people in three-piece suits sitting with what we might call modern-day hippies.鈥� Students say their peers are 鈥減retty liberal鈥� and have 鈥渁 strong interest in environmental sustainability鈥�; notably, 71% of students are women. Overall, it鈥檚 a friendly campus with a lot of school spirit, as most students have 鈥渁 general positive attitude about being here at Eckerd.鈥�

How can you beat a dorm that overlooks the bay? asks one student, confirming that the residence halls 鈥渁re beautiful, so there is no need to live off campus.鈥� The result, which some call 鈥渟ummer camp with an enriching academic experience,鈥� tends to be a fairly active community, further encouraged by the Community Bike program, which lets students 鈥渏ust pick up the yellow bikes and ride wherever you need.鈥� Students also enjoy exploring off-campus, including dining out at one of the many restaurants in downtown St. Petersburg. And of course, the school鈥檚 location is great for people who enjoy going out on the water. The school has no Greek life, although students note there are still parties to be found (鈥減ot and beer are not strangers鈥�), which often take place outside. That said, the school has a 鈥渧ery 鈥榝ree as a bird鈥� mentality,鈥� meaning that 鈥減eople rarely feel trapped,鈥� so when it comes to choosing activities, it鈥檚 鈥渁 very no-pressure environment.鈥� To make sure there are plenty of evening events, the Campus Activities crew has a generous budget, which results in many 鈥渆clectic options鈥� including 鈥渃ookouts, dances, casino nights, and an actual carnival brought onto campus.鈥� When it comes to having fun, the hardest choice to make may be whether to go to the beach or go downtown to get 鈥減addleboards/kayaks at the Waterfront.鈥�