I graduated in 2012, and I can't tell you how much I miss this school. I learned so much about life, as well as academics that this school has truly changed my life. The Eckerd community is a tight-knit group of close friends, professors, mentors, and the community of St. Petersburg, and you'll remain connected to Camp Eckerd the rest of your life.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Apply and take a tour. You'll enjoy the college campus as well as gain an opportunity to speak to current students. They have a full Prospective Student Weekend, and this was where I met some of my first friends and experienced how much fun college would be. They also have an Autumn Term where only freshmen get to attend school and experience campus life. Also, the college is right on the water and 5 minutes away from St Pete Beach and Pass-a-Grille beach. I recommend talking to a professor a student and trying to figure out which degree path is right for you, and I know they are always super helpful in anything you ask of them.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Classes are pretty tough. Be prepared to spend some days in the library when all you really want to do is go to the beach or Kappa field. However, if you succeed academically, you'll go pretty damn far.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Dorm life is okay. I was torn between giving this a 3 or 4 star review. My reasoning is because I moved off campus my junior year, but only because I was able to purchase a condo on the beach as a short sale. Anyways, my first 2 years on campus was hysterically crazy fun, and super serious academically. I had to learn to balance the parties and the education, but I soon got the hand of things. My freshman (2008) year we had the Ying Yang Twins on campus and Bullshit Ballet. Bullshit Ballet was where the rugby team (which is awesome by the way), got together and put on a performance that joked about events that happened that year around the school. There's also Kappa Karnival and Kappa Kitchen...be careful what you eat at Kappa Kitchen, and never miss Kappa Karnival. The freshman and sophomore dorms are usually community bathrooms...it's not as bad as you think. I was surprised they were always kept clean because I went into EC having a fear of sharing my bathroom. I have a friend who is still attending EC and I was sent a picture message of the newest post in the bathroom that said something along the lines of Tours will be coming through today. Please make sure to wear clothes.
The dorms are pretty decent... recycling is pretty big, but the are mostly filled with beer cans to be honest. However, you can always find a place on campus to recycle whatever your heart desires. Iota was the newest dorm when I was there and Nu was always considered the party dorm (but you can't live there until junior year anyways). Kappa...well...when you tour Kappa....if there are tours even going through Kappa, you will understand the term barefoot hippie pretty well. When you tour you should ask about Zetaween, Kappa Ball, or the djs that randomly start playing.
Certain dorms also allow pets...for instance I had my dog on campus while I was there and absolutely loved her. Others had snakes, cats, reptiles of some sort, and other random animals, including a ferret that was wa...
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Decent food and dining. You'll get sick of it, but on holidays and when there are events at the school, the school's food is pretty damn good. There's always the pub with Big Dawg who makes the best sandwiches you'll ever have. Ms. Rosemary is in the caf., be sure to befriend her quickly because if you forget a meal swipe or your card, she might be nice that day and let you go on in for free. PS. the cookies by the pizza are amazing.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Here's a list: kappa field, south beach, water activities at the waterfront (paddle board, wake board, swimming, etc.), pool on campus, down town St. Pete, the Undertow, Tampa is close by, Tampa music fest (Sunset Music Festival), and then you can always find a local with a boat.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
It's expensive, but it's sooo worth every penny.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Kappa Karnival - a carnival on kappa field that's a giant party with neon lights
Bullshit Ballet - a theatrical production by the rugby team (if they are still doing it). If you messed up during the school year, you're part of the skit.
Spring Fling - spring ball
Kappa Ball - the Kappa party after Spring Ball where the girls take their dresses off and give it to the guys. So guys wear the dresses and girls wear their pjs.
Autumn Term - only freshman are allowed on campus during this time to get oriented with EC
Pitchers with Professors - if you're 21+ years you can go to the pub and talk about life and your studies over a pitcher of beer (or more) with your professor
Pet Life - they allow pets on campus
Yellow Bikes - free yellow bikes for transportation across campus
The Gauntlet - running on top of the roofs from 1 end to the other without getting caught. This is a right of passage for EC kids, just run fast. I think they might have put up sensors on top of the roofs by now though.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Anyone laid back and okay with random events and people. Those that can manage their time wisely between free life and academic life. Those who are ready for hard work that will kick your butt some days, but that will be especially rewarding later.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
non existent, but for the better. I'd say that because there's no greek life the students are close and more accepting of one another.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Like any campus, there's always some issues, but for the most part this is a very safe campus.
I graduated in 2012, and I can't tell you how much I miss this school. I learned so much about life, as well as academics that this school has truly changed my life. The Eckerd community is a tight-knit group of close friends, professors, mentors, and the community of St. Petersburg, and you'll remain connected to Camp Eckerd the rest of your life.
Apply and take a tour. You'll enjoy the college campus as well as gain an opportunity to speak to current students. They have a full Prospective Student Weekend, and this was where I met some of my first friends and experienced how much fun college would be. They also have an Autumn Term where only freshmen get to attend school and experience campus life. Also, the college is right on the water and 5 minutes away from St Pete Beach and Pass-a-Grille beach. I recommend talking to a professor a student and trying to figure out which degree path is right for you, and I know they are always super helpful in anything you ask of them.
Classes are pretty tough. Be prepared to spend some days in the library when all you really want to do is go to the beach or Kappa field. However, if you succeed academically, you'll go pretty damn far.
Dorm life is okay. I was torn between giving this a 3 or 4 star review. My reasoning is because I moved off campus my junior year, but only because I was able to purchase a condo on the beach as a short sale. Anyways, my first 2 years on campus was hysterically crazy fun, and super serious academically. I had to learn to balance the parties and the education, but I soon got the hand of things. My freshman (2008) year we had the Ying Yang Twins on campus and Bullshit Ballet. Bullshit Ballet was where the rugby team (which is awesome by the way), got together and put on a performance that joked about events that happened that year around the school. There's also Kappa Karnival and Kappa Kitchen...be careful what you eat at Kappa Kitchen, and never miss Kappa Karnival. The freshman and sophomore dorms are usually community bathrooms...it's not as bad as you think. I was surprised they were always kept clean because I went into EC having a fear of sharing my bathroom. I have a friend who is still attending EC and I was sent a picture message of the newest post in the bathroom that said something along the lines of Tours will be coming through today. Please make sure to wear clothes. The dorms are pretty decent... recycling is pretty big, but the are mostly filled with beer cans to be honest. However, you can always find a place on campus to recycle whatever your heart desires. Iota was the newest dorm when I was there and Nu was always considered the party dorm (but you can't live there until junior year anyways). Kappa...well...when you tour Kappa....if there are tours even going through Kappa, you will understand the term barefoot hippie pretty well. When you tour you should ask about Zetaween, Kappa Ball, or the djs that randomly start playing. Certain dorms also allow pets...for instance I had my dog on campus while I was there and absolutely loved her. Others had snakes, cats, reptiles of some sort, and other random animals, including a ferret that was wa...
Decent food and dining. You'll get sick of it, but on holidays and when there are events at the school, the school's food is pretty damn good. There's always the pub with Big Dawg who makes the best sandwiches you'll ever have. Ms. Rosemary is in the caf., be sure to befriend her quickly because if you forget a meal swipe or your card, she might be nice that day and let you go on in for free. PS. the cookies by the pizza are amazing.
Here's a list: kappa field, south beach, water activities at the waterfront (paddle board, wake board, swimming, etc.), pool on campus, down town St. Pete, the Undertow, Tampa is close by, Tampa music fest (Sunset Music Festival), and then you can always find a local with a boat.
It's expensive, but it's sooo worth every penny.
Kappa Karnival - a carnival on kappa field that's a giant party with neon lights Bullshit Ballet - a theatrical production by the rugby team (if they are still doing it). If you messed up during the school year, you're part of the skit. Spring Fling - spring ball Kappa Ball - the Kappa party after Spring Ball where the girls take their dresses off and give it to the guys. So guys wear the dresses and girls wear their pjs. Autumn Term - only freshman are allowed on campus during this time to get oriented with EC Pitchers with Professors - if you're 21+ years you can go to the pub and talk about life and your studies over a pitcher of beer (or more) with your professor Pet Life - they allow pets on campus Yellow Bikes - free yellow bikes for transportation across campus The Gauntlet - running on top of the roofs from 1 end to the other without getting caught. This is a right of passage for EC kids, just run fast. I think they might have put up sensors on top of the roofs by now though.
Anyone laid back and okay with random events and people. Those that can manage their time wisely between free life and academic life. Those who are ready for hard work that will kick your butt some days, but that will be especially rewarding later.
non existent, but for the better. I'd say that because there's no greek life the students are close and more accepting of one another.
Like any campus, there's always some issues, but for the most part this is a very safe campus.