<p>My daughter is in her freshman year at Eckerd as well. Her plan is to major in International Relations. I think she pretty much likes it, however she has found the lack of a car to be a hinderance. She’s been able to find rides most of the times she’s needed to, but hates feeling dependent on other people. She is very much enjoying her classes and professors. She’d come out of a very small high school and was used to a lot of direct contact with her teachers, so she’s enjoying the same ability to interact with her professors. Dh and I attended Family Weekend in February since he hadn’t seen the campus yet. We were both impressed with what we heard while we were there.</p>
<p>thanks ca_mom for the update on her freshman year. It’s funny, I remember posts about a car not being an issue, but it must make a difference. Is that just a freshman complaint on every campus or moreso at eckerd? My older 2 sang the same song. Glad to hear she likes it.</p>
<p>How did you get her moved in from California? Any advice on the logistice of a long distance move?</p>
<p>While not having a car may be a universal freshman complaint, I really do think it’s valid at Eckerd. We had thought there was bus service, but dd found after getting there that it’s not very reliable or convenient. The school is pretty cut off. It’s on a highway with no visible way to cross it. It reminds me a lot of UC Irvine, the school I attended my first two years of college.</p>
<p>The way we got her to school was to fly. I went with her, and so did her older sister. We ended up staying in the area for about 5 days. We pre-ordered a lot of stuff at our local Bed, Bath & Beyond for pick up in St. Petersburg. That was wonderful. I highly recommend it. We then purchased a few more things once we got there. She took everything else in two suitcases. She’d been attending boarding school in PA for the last 4 years so the cross country travel is kind of second nature to her now.</p>
<p>Two suitcases! Impressive! I was thinking about doing the very same thing with bed bath and beyond. Glad to hear it worked out well. Any advice you have to pass on will be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>Kayakrider-My S is a sophomore at Eckerd. He is very happy there. He chose Eckerd primarily for its size and the bonus of being able to sail whenever he has time. He is a pretty laid back kid and is really blossoming there. Although he is not a marine science major, many of his friends are. I can’t speak about the job prospects but I do know there are ample opportunities to work with profs on their research. Because there is no grad school it seems clear that the profs are commited to teaching and have been very accessible. S really really likes some profs and also has had one he didn’t like.
Dad and I were impressed that S friends are from all over the country: OR, CT, SC, and, OH.
S was annoyed that partying does consume alot of the weekend for many on campus but he is comfortable to not participate and is still accepted by those who do. He worked very hard and got very good grades. We couldn’t be happier.
S did not have a car last year and he and his friends were comfortable walking to a nearby area to go to the grocery store or Walmart. There is a public transit bus that comes onto the campus and there are college owned vans available for students to use after passing a test. S has his own bike which he also uses to get off campus without difficulty.
This year S is getting involved with student activities. He is starting up 2 clubs and has great support from the Student Services dept. He was never one to initiate anything like that before and I’m sure the nurturing environment has played a big part in these new endeavors.
Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Our son is having the very same experience at Eckerd as a freshman. Helpful profs, friends from all over the country, tons to do on and off campus. He has challenging classes and had no problem getting into the ones he wanted. He also said partying is huge on the weekends but doesn’t feel pressured. His only complaint is the size. He feels a little isolated. He is hoping for a car next year but it’s not necessary for him. We couldn’t be happier with Eckerd and we’re so proud of his growth already.</p>
<p>Wanted to give an update on dd on her sophomore year at Eckerd. She did go back with a car this year. As she has gotten an internship that will take her off campus, it will be very helpful for her to have.</p>
<p>She has enjoyed all of her classes, and especially the fact they are small and the professors are accessible. She’s also gotten involved in numerous clubs, so much so that I was teasing her about having time to attend classes. She is doing very well in her classes and has had some amazing opportunities. She spent 2 1/2 weeks in Geneva at the end of the Spring term as part of a “Spring into Summer” class she was taking that involved the UN and world organizations. This Winter she is going to the Sundance Film Festival as part of a film class she’s taking over Winter Term. I sure don’t remember having classes like this when I was in college. :-)</p>
<p>I’m a senior in high school trying to make my decision about Eckerd… it seems that it would be a great fit for me. But, i’m not sold on the small size and the debating issue on if students are actually “involved” in the school activities or just the school beach. I was wondering if any of your sons or daughters that attend feel like they are missing out on the football, greek life, the so called “college experience”. It’d be such a great help if you could let me know your thoughts!</p>
<p>Some kids love a small school and some don’t. It’s good to evaluate what’s right for you. My son hasn’t been one to go to big games and no greek life was a huge plus. He’s made friends from everywhere and the guys in his dorm have made a great group to hang with. They kayak, shoot hoops, run and yes, I’m sure, party.<br>
His profs have been easy to connect with. Our daughter is a TA at a large university and I can tell you her prof is NOT available to undergrads. Teaching assistants are your profs at large schools.
That being said, my son does feel a little isolated. He wants a car to explore more of Florida.<br>
He’s having a great college experience so far. He has something to do every weekend. Does he miss football games? I’m pretty sure he doesn’t, but he’s going to a friend’s big Univ. while he’s home on break and then he can’t wait to get back to his ocean!</p>
<p>My dd is in her 2nd year a Eckerd. She did not want to attend a school with sororities/fraternities. She is also NOT a football fan. She has gotten very involved with various school clubs and organizations and has an internship this year with a non-profit that is just getting established in St. Petersburg. So far she’s been to Geneva for 2 1/2 weeks (visting the UN among other places) as part of a class, and right now she’s at the Sundance Film Festival as part of her Winter Term class. She’s getting a lot of opportunities that she wouldn’t have elsewhere. She loves the small classes and having the professors so accessible.</p>
<p>LOL, I just realized I basically restated my post of a few months ago. :-)</p>
<p>Hi,
My son is considering Eckerd as well as some schools here in Maryland. I was wondering if those of you with children there could give me some updates. It wouldn’t be impossible for him to bring his car there. We have also read on the school’s website that they are building a new science building. Would love to hear your experiences.
Thanks,
Diane</p>
<p>My daughter attended Eckerd for the first two years of college. She just recently transferred to the University of British Columbia, which will be a huge change.</p>
<p>She liked Eckerd, but found it rather isolated without a car. What she really liked about it was the ability to get to know, and talk to her professors. All classes are taught by professors, not TAs. She also had some incredible opportunities, like going to Genera for 2 1/2 weeks at the end of a spring term to learn more about world organizations, or attending the Sundance Film Festival during a winter term.</p>
<p>What her dad and I liked was the small school, the feeling that she was kind of “watched over”. We also liked the financial award she got. Merit award is based on grade point average only, not needs based.</p>