College #2 of the summer! Though Eckerd College is only 30 minutes away from the University of Tampa, it feels a world apart. If you are looking for a laid-back college atmosphere with high-level academics, look here. One of the 40 Colleges That Change Lives, Eckerd is a school with an on-campus beach where each student is assigned a personal librarian based on their interests. Eckerd students are barefoot and brainy, free-spirited, curious, and independent. The college has produced more National Oceanographic and Atmospheric (NOAA) Hollings scholars than any other college in the country. Students hail from 48 states and 43 countries.
Eckerd has many ways to help students reach their potential: • Small classes where professors know students on a first-name basis.
• A 4-1-4 calendar where students take four classes during fall semester, one course during a 3-week winter term, and four classes during spring semester. • A 3-week autumn term orientation program for incoming students: first year students come to campus before everyone else and take creative classes from professors who become their first-year mentors. • First-year Student Research Associateships in fields from marine science to the politics of car theft to dog behavior and cognition. • The unique Eckerd College Search and Rescue Team, the only certified collegiate search and rescue team in US, which works with the US Coast Guard.
While best known for marine science, creative writing is the third most popular major (environmental science is second), and film studies is also an especially strong program. The arts building is the newest building on campus, and students can be inspired by both the sunrise and the sunset from the drawing studio. Eckerd is also home to both Egyptian and Japanese-style kilns that were constructed by students during winter term. 70% of students complete at least one internship.
Eckerd has set the national standard for pet-friendly housing, including an on-campus dog park. Plus, students don’t need to worry about their pets’ health because there’s a vet who visits campus weekly. So, if you've always dreamed of taking your pet to college with you, here's your opportunity!