Day four- Eckerd College
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| view from Marine Science building |
If you recognize the name of this school as the same as the
drug store popular in 1990s and 2000s, it is because this college is named
after the same person who founded Eckerd Drug Stores. Eckerd is located in St. Petersburg, Florida,
right on the water. This campus is very
different from many other college campuses from around the State of Florida or
from around the United States. It is a
liberal arts college that finds its identity in the state of mind that its
location might inspire. Being right on
the water and having a beach steps away from the dormitories, you might think
that all students approach their education with a relaxed state of mind. Students do, however, work very hard in their
course work. Eckerd College is an
unconventional college that has different First, students can bring their pet to
college with them. Though this is not exclusively
an Eckerd thing, it is definitely a popular decision at Eckerd. Next, they are on a 4-1-4 schedule. Fall semester, where a student will take four
classes, ends in November and students have a three week mini-mester where
students can study abroad or take a class on campus that deals with a special
topic. These mini classes are meant to
add a richness of depth to the education that a student will receive. Last, they have a three week orientation that
incoming freshman will take a class called The Human Experience. This class allows students to interact with
their professors and advisors and, most importantly, with their peers. The last class that students will take at
Eckerd is a capstone class called Human Justice where the same students that
started off together will be reunited to use the education that they have
received to identify and solve a problem that plagues a group of humans. Unconventional is a great way to describe
Eckerd College.
Due to Eckerd’s location, it is no surprise that maritime studies
and opportunities exist. Because of
their marine science program, Eckerd students come here in droves to be marine
biologists as they can walk out their door and get on the boat to go to
class. While this is true, the inside
lab time is a reality of this education.
It is not all boat-time.
Additionally, students can volunteer to be on Eckerd’s search and rescue
team that assists the Coast Guard in helping rescue victims of maritime
calamities. Students can sign out
kayaks, long boards, and canoes, but even better can go out on snorkeling and
water skiing trips that leave the dock on campus. Sounds great!
With all of these great options for a student to get involved in, it is
no surprise to learn that their 4 year graduation rate is 64% and 6 year
graduation rate is 68%. These rates tell
us a story. If you have a student who
struggles with personal responsibility, Eckerd may not be the right place.
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| marine science lab |
Ultimately, Eckerd fits a niche kid who loves learning in an
environment that is very open, inclusive and free-spirited. Chances are that their Eckerd education will
present ideas and opportunities that they have never been exposed to. This school fits the liberal-minded, “gonna
save the world” student who is very comfortable meeting and befriending people
who are very different from them. Eckerd
is a member of a group of colleges that have been identified as having the
desire to impact students’ lives at the core of all they do. This list is called “Colleges that Change
Lives: www.ctcl.org.
Eckerd College Quick Facts
Cost of attendance- $57,000 per year
Average financial aid award is $34,048
GPA- 3.0
SAT- 1000
ACT- 20
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| Chapel |
