About LSDP:

When

You will come to LSDP each weekday from 9:00 to 12:00, so the afternoons are free for hanging out with friends, practicing with sports teams, going to the beach (yes, we go to the beach in January here), or a job if you have one. We do have some special days planned which will take you away from Campus for 48 hours.  The dates correspond with Eckerd Winter Term.

Academic Credit

You will get a  Winter Term credit. There are no formal papers or exams, and there is VERY little homework. The grade that you receive is based on three things:

1. This is basically a participation course. Come every day, ready to play, and bring a good attitude. 

2. Each day you will write in a journal (that we provide, you don’t have to buy anything, in fact, we’ll even give you a pen to write with). We'll give you specific prompts relevant to each day's activities to guide your journal reflections for the day.

3. You will create a project with a group of others.  Your team will write a brief report and present it at the end of the month.

Cost

This is almost the most unbelievable part.  For all of the great stuff you will get out of this -- leadership training, self-understanding, new friends, and new skills -- the cost is only a $550 fee (in lieu of Winter Term tuition). And that includes everything – we give you all of the notebooks, pens, everything you need!!!

The College will also bill your account for your room and board, depending on your meal plan and housing situation, since they haven’t billed first year students for January. That usually runs around $1,500 (your same dorm room and Tier A meal plan), but it depends on your meal plan and housing situation so you’ll have to check that out.

But I don't have to take a Winter Term my first year.  Why would I want to?

LSDP:

• Provides excellent preparation for RA or Peer Mentor interviews!  (We even do "mock interviews" to help students who are interested in applying for these roles.)

• Provides great training for leadership experiences on campus (ECOS, club heads, etc.)

• Counts as a course for the Leadership Minor.

• Counts as one of your four required short-term courses, which is particularly helpful if you decide to study abroad spring of sophomore or junior year.  (If you have already completed LSDP, you can study abroad without having to make-up your Winter Term over the summer or later as a fifth class.)

PLUS:

• It is less expensive to take LSDP as a first-year student (significantly reduced fee) compared to taking a Winter Term course as a sophomore, junior, or senior. (In other words, it will save you money in the long run.)

• It is MUCH more fun than spending six weeks at home doing nothing!

• You begin spring semester with AWESOME new friends and a stronger connection to the Eckerd Community!