<p>Does anyone know anything about Eckerd, other than what is printed in Colleges that Change Lives?</p>
<p>Has anyone visited? Known a student who attended? Heard something of interest about its reputation? etc.</p>
<p>I've been on campus for community events, but can't say anything more than it's a lovely green (as in lots of trees and shade) campus, very close to my favorite beach (St. Pete Beach). I hear they have their own waterfront but didn't wander down there.</p>
<p>I know someone whose daughters are going there. The mom had taken the daughters (who are smart, talented, service-oriented people) all over the southeast, and the daughters selected Eckerd, where they are very happy. </p>
<p>I'll see the mom later today, and will try to get more specifics from her.</p>
<p>Great school; I know a handful of alums and all are very happy they went there.</p>
<p>Can't beat the setting! Unless you're a big snowboarder.</p>
<p>A lot of kids from the Northeast end up there -- for obvious winter-weather reasons. A friend's daughter went there for one year and then transfered - she couldn't get used to Eckert's relative isolation, and smallness; also the resort feel got old for her. So it's not a school I'd recommend for kids who thrive in a big-school/urban setting.</p>
<p>Has some similarities to Rollins in Winter Park. Both are small LAC's. Eckerd in St Pete is a bit more isolated than Rollins in Winter Park. Tampa is a bit further away, across the Bay. But Tampa does have alot to offer. But no public transportation, so if no car, more isolated. </p>
<p>It has a good rep here in Florida. Perhaps not quite as competitive as Rollins to get into. I think Rollins has stronger D2 sports, which fosters more comradery in the student body and therefore atending games is a bigger "deal" resulting in more to do/going on on campus. I have a friend with a D who is a Freshman, so will try to get more info.</p>
<p>I really appreciate everyone's replies!</p>
<p>Daughter is looking for warm weather and an urban setting (or at least not a small town setting...)</p>
<p>She is also more of the hands on learning type, more practically oriented, so looking for schools that have internships, research projects and that kind of thing.</p>
<p>I asked the woman whom I know what her D's like about Eckerd. They are smart girls who feel they are being challenged in classes. They have lots of interaction with professors, and excellent guidance from their advisors, including unsolicited advice on how to be competive for Phi Beta Kappa. They also are able to pursue in depth their extracurricular interests -- which range from Amnesty International to dance.</p>
<p>It also isn't a party school, though, of course students have a good time. </p>
<p>They also like being able to do things like kayak during the time periods between classes.</p>
<p>If your D would prefer a more urban setting, check out Rollins College, which is in Winter Park, a small city about a 10 min. drive from the big city attractings of Orlando. Rollins combines the attractions of being very close to a big city while also being a lovely college which is an easy walk to shops, eateries, parks in downton Winter Park. Rollins also is on a large lake, so is very scenic. And it has the usual plusses of LACs. One caveat: It does attract a lot of partiers, but it also has wonderful options for students who aren't into heavy partying. It also has a challenging, writing-based curriculum and professors who enjoy teaching.</p>
<p>Northstarmom, thanks for the info!</p>
<p>Can you learn more about how the one girl continues with dance?</p>
<p>As far as I can see, Eckerd itself offers absolutely no dance whatsoever, but it is something in which my daughter is interested in participating.... so this would be a very helpful bit of information indeed.</p>
<p>I see that Rollins has Greeks, and Eckerd has none, so my sense is that Eckerd would be more my daughter's kind of school.</p>
<p>Also, can someone fill me in more about Eckerd "not" being in an urban setting? Looking on the map, it seems to be on the edge of a large metropolitan area.</p>
<p>Eckerd would be considered more suburban. St. Pete is more of a bedroom community. Shopping centers and malls, with no downtown or center of town. Lots of retirees. Some tourists. Some seasonal residents. And a base of year-round families. When I was in my 20's it was known as the home of the "newlywed and nearly dead," given that there were lots of young folks and retirees. Stetson Law School is also located in St Pete.</p>
<p>A friend's son goes to Eckerd and loves it. He has a language based learning disability and is getting the help he needs there--also the hands-on learning experiences.</p>
<p>Might I suggest Goucher College near Baltimore--a really great school with lots of dancers and with a wonderful international flair? It is suburban, but very near the city.</p>