Eckerd College Reviews

"Eckerd College is an exceptionally unique school that delivers a strong liberal arts education. The classes are small, and professors truly want to teach. They like students, and they want them to succeed. Eckerd College is well-known for its programs in Marine Science and Environmental Studies, though they offer degrees in a wide variety of subjects. Students can even create the degree and college experience that they want - if they have the motivation to do so. Eckerd College truly transformed my life. I found professors who are truly passionate about their fields of study, an encouraging and healthy student body, and a campus that allowed me to develop my own sense of work-life balance. At Eckerd, I experienced the value of service learning, developed intellectually because I wanted to and not because I had to, and bonded with friends whom I will have for life. At Eckerd, I found my passion for human and environmental health through work in resilient food systems. I felt supported by the college throughout my 4 year experience, and I wouldnt have chosen any other school for my undergraduate education.Eckerds campus is right on the Gulf of Mexico. It is a beautiful place to walk, bike, and boat - and you will always find friendly faces. It is small in numbers compared to other colleges, but it never felt too small for me. I met new people every semester, and the campus is expansive with lots of green spaces and ponds. An excellent day started with fresh squeezed orange juice in the cafeteria, proceeded with engaging classes and time in the gym or outdoors, included places conducive to study, and ended with a strong sense of friendship, belonging, and purpose."

"Eckerd College was indeed a college that changes lives. I am a more compassionate, intelligent, and well-rounded individual from having attended this college. From the very start this colleges education program is so well thought out. They do an Autumn term to help freshman get used to the college experience before overwhelming them with upper classmates. We are encouraged to become active members in our local communities and they require a reflective service learning course. They provide numerous guests speakers to encourage provoking thoughts and allow a plethora of opportunities to study abroad. In addition, fun activities are endless as the campus activities office plans events each week to get students interested and involved in their own campus."

"Classes were occasionally challenging. The liberal arts philosophy causes most entry level classes to be unproductive uses of time. The administration and "leaders" were sometimes open to ideas, but ultimately the agenda of a select few students was pursued. The recent focus on hard sciences makes sense but was done at the cost of almost every other department. The Kappa culture is toxic and alienating. Cliques are common so unless you get in to them day one, be ready for a lonely experience. Drug use on campus is an issue. Career resources is useless for anyone who already knows how to use a search engine and LinkedIn. Most of my friends do not have jobs remotely related to what they studied, and the payoff of the school is laughable compared to the cost. My partner is a fellow graduate and has had to struggle to even get dog walking jobs and the department they got their degree through has consistently ignored them and at one point held an alumni art show and even had pieces shipped in yet neglected to invite my partner who lives about 5 minutes away. The professors have their obvious favriots and if you aren't one of them do not expect any support, career or otherwise. My career as it is comes from working in an unrelated job to my degree (the job didn't even need one) and I taught myself everything I needed to know to get a better job. This will probably be the largest waste of time and money I will commit to in my life. Also, pitchers with professors is just obnoxious to those who don't drink"

"I am currently enrolled as a Master's student at Florida Atlantic University. I am pursuing my dreams of furthering my education and hopefully becoming a research professor. My time at Eckerd College helped prepare me for this next rigorous step. However, there is no type of time commitment I have faced like graduate school requires. The broad and diverse educational background I received at Eckerd has really helped me to stand out, in and out of the classroom. As a smaller school, Eckerd, really helps students become comfortable being themselves and greatly advocates diversity and self promotion. I have become very comfortable working with others and know to rely on myself."

"In 2012 Eckerd College joined other wonderful institutions in the world-renowned magazine Colleges That Change Lives. I believe that it was a well-deserved accomplishment because my time at Eckerd College was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I spent my college career working with the foremost scholars in Literature and Philosophy and rubbed elbows with Nobel Peace Prize winners and Pulitzer honorees At Eckerd I worked with my professors closely on topics that not only fascinated me, but also challenged my intellectual and emotional world. I began classes at Eckerd College knowing I wanted to study Philosophy. Although I was warned of the economic reality that my degree would foster, my professors were enthusiastic and passionate about my chosen area. Later in the semester I ran into a Literature professor that encouraged me to work through a double degree and explore the more creative side of philosophical thought. I loved and enjoyed both of my degrees and by the end of my first year I began making connections that have helped throughout my career. In December of 2011 I was recommended by a professor to join Nobel Peace Price Winner Elie Wiesels class The Philosophy of Literature. I was so honored and proud that I called my parent immediately. Needless to say I enjoyed his class so much that I took it every winter for the next three years. My time with Professor Wiesels was one of the most cherished moments that Eckerd College has given me. I had the opportunity to not only learn from a scholar and academic but also be in the presence of a great humanist and activist. I made quite the impression on him as well that after I graduated Professor Wiesel asked me to come work with him in New York at his foundation. Since then, Professor Wiesel has passed but my time with him as a student and colleague has made such an impression on me that I have dedicated my career in continuing his legacy. Currently I am in education, an area Professor regarded highly because of his love of learning and his great appreciation for teachers. However, it was Eckerd College that gave me the inspiration, opportunities, and knowledge to find not just my career path, but also my passion."

"It's (almost) always sunny at Eckerd College. The campus is beautiful, the professors are excellent and school-sponsored on campus events are a blast. I greatly enjoyed my time at Eckerd and I will be forever grateful to my professor's there for the education I received. My biggest qualm with Eckerd is that it does not work hard enough to further the lives of those in the South St. Pete community, where the college is located. Also, the majority of students are white, straight and upper-middle class. Campus politics are moderate, not progressive."

"It was a fantastic place to go to college. Everyone is nice and friendly, the classes are challenging and interesting. I know I couldn't have gotten the experience anywhere else."

"It was a fantastic place to go to college. Everyone is nice and friendly, the classes are challenging and interesting. I know I couldn't have gotten the experience anywhere else."

"Eckerd is a great school with an amazing staff. I participated in the Program for Experienced Learners (PEL) and I found it convenient to work full time and attend classes. Small class sizes were great for class discussions."