East Carolina University Reviews

  • 65 Reviews
  • Greenville (NC)
  • Annual Tuition: $23,602
94% of 65 students said this degree improved their career prospects
92% of 65 students said they would recommend this school to others
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Student & Graduate Reviews

Robert Driver
  • Reviewed: 3/28/2017
  • Degree: Biology
"Nestled in the heart of eastern North Carolina, East Carolina University is none other than a hidden gem of a graduate school opportunity. As a PhD student enrolled in the IDPBS program in the Biology department, I have gained training in modern techniques at the forefront of evolutionary biology, allowing my research to remain relevant and helpful to the scientific community. I believe that this is an important component of any graduate program but cannot be found at all institutions. Staying current in a given field of research is perhaps the most critical component of a graduate program for securing a job following graduation, yet it is difficult for departments to change with fast-paced advances over time. The Biology department at East Carolina excels at this task. One key component of the IDPBS graduate program at East Carolina University is its emphasis on learning to program computer code for biological purposes. In the past ten years, major advances in genetic sequencing techniques have allowed for the acquisition of huge amounts of data, leading to advanced computer-based techniques for managing and analyzing such quantities. The IDPBS coursework offers instruction on such techniques by analyzing real datasets analogous to a students own projects. These skills can be utilized to obtain biology-based industry jobs, or postdoctoral positions within academia. I highly recommend the East Carolina University graduate program for students interested in all areas of biology, from molecular and cell biology to evolution and ecology. Sometimes the application of techniques can be difficult to grasp, and manageably-sized laboratories offer time to meet 1:1 with advisors to ask questions and get feedback as students develop their theses. A reasonable and fair amount of coursework to the student allows for time to progress research goals in the thesis. These important variables make East Carolina University an excellent choice for the study of biology."
Ryan Schmidtke
  • Reviewed: 3/19/2017
  • Degree: History
"East Carolina University had just what I was looking for. Prior to attending the university I had the intention to follow a pre-dental track (one of many pre-professional pathways offered by ECU). With both a large hospital system for general medicine, gastroenterologist, pediatrics, physical therapy, and dentistry, the school is a key element in preparing students for future medical careers. After my first year on campus, due to my own decision and my exposure to other departments, faculty and areas of interest, I changed my path to focus on studying two interests of mine- history and Spanish. The faculty in both of these departments could not be more helpful and many of them became my friends and closest advisors following their classes. On top of all of this, the environment on campus is always welcoming. People are everywhere, smiling, conversing, advertising their clubs or organizations, carrying on with their lives or preparing for an upcoming Pirate football game. At ECU there is a little bit of everything. Whether I knew it or not before I came to ECU, I know it now: ECU was just what I was looking for. I have made friends of both fellow students and faculty, I have learned a great deal about myself and the world around me, and I have had the most memorable four years of my life. I could not be more thankful to have gone to ECU and I encourage anyone interested to visit the campus and see the brick-laden mall and the area around the campus bookstore on a sunny fall, spring, or summer day. I guarantee that you will find what you are looking for at East Carolina University."
PirateFan
  • Reviewed: 3/18/2017
  • Degree: Communications
"I highly recommend ECU to anyone considering attending this University. I graduated in 2004 with a BA in Communication Studies and was a member of the National Honor Fraternity. There are dozens of events/groups so everyone is able to fit in and contribute to their personal growth as well as the ECU community. Instructors go above and beyond and overall I am very pleased with the education and benefits I gained as a result of my undergraduate studies. I am considering going back to ECU for a MS in Health Education at this time and am excited about the prospect of returning to school here. Go Pirates!"
Breyah Atkinson
  • Reviewed: 3/16/2017
  • Degree: Public Health
""We are the Pirates of E! C! U! Hey!" East Carolina University, home of the Pirates, is not only a college filled with diversity and inclusivity, but my university has numerous reliable student resources for professional and personal development. With over 20,000 students, East Carolina University makes it easy and not stressful to find student leaders with likeminded passions and goals, but also a network of individuals who strive to create a just and thriving world for all. East Carolina University is a family, especially during athletic events. You can hear the shouts and mottos of our university seeping through the walls and into your heart. I have pirate pride because becoming a pirate was one of the best decisions I have ever made. My university has allowed me to connect with individuals from different backgrounds and beliefs while creating lifelong friendships. My university has given me the needed resources to pursue my Master's degree in health policy next year."
Joseph
  • Reviewed: 3/13/2017
  • Degree: Biology
"ECU is a great school, but I would recommend going to a different school if you have the opportunity. If you are attempting to go to the medical field do not go to this school unless you get into the honor college. You will never find any opportunity, Vidant is extremely hard to volunteer at unless you know people here. The undergraduate teaching staff is great and they really want to help the students. If you are not planning on going to any professional school after undergrad this school is the one of the cheapest and best choices for an experience. I loved this school for undergraduate, but after four years I really outgrew it."
Chelsey Jones
  • Reviewed: 3/9/2017
  • Degree: Performing Arts
"Overall, attending East Carolina University was amazing. The college has a wide range of courses to choose from, the instructors really care about their students success, and is very diversified. The only negative review I have about my experience at ECU was from my own choices. I did not choose a degree program that was mobile as a military spouse. Choose your degree program wisely and research job possibilities and availability of careers in the field you wish to study."
Claire Seef
  • Reviewed: 2/2/2017
  • Degree: Art & Design
"East Carolina University is a very diverse school, with so many different programs to offer. There is a beautiful campus with so many friendly, inviting people to help you. Classes within my major were small and hands on, and you get to know your professors one on one. The staff is all very helpful and understanding, and willing to get you to your goals."
Pirate4life
  • Reviewed: 1/31/2017
  • Degree: Accounting
"I thought East Carolina University was a great college. For students looking for a great experience look no further than East Carolina. East Carolina offers a wide array of on campus activities to make any feel involved. Not to mention, the town of Greenville North Carolina provides a one of a kind college town experience."
Tyla F.
  • Reviewed: 1/22/2017
  • Degree: Business Administration
"ECU is a great university with varied course offerings. The head of the hospitality program is great, as are the teachers in the hospitality and business major sectors. Some of the guidance counselors are awesome but some are questionable and you have to stay on top of things or they will cause you to miss out on classes or plan your schedule in such a way that you're not maximizing your time and getting out as fast as you should."
Randawl
  • Reviewed: 1/3/2017
  • Degree: Healthcare Administration
"Very high value university in a great town with lots of great restaurants!"
Christopher Eller
  • Reviewed: 12/16/2016
  • Degree: Education
"East Carolina University provides a true college experience in a quintessential college town. As a history education major, I was pleased to find that the university provided challenging and helpful courses. Before coming to ECU, I was skeptical about the quality of education that I would receive upon enrolling but I found that the history department and the education department were better than to I expected. History majors have the opportunity to study nautical history off the coast of North Carolina in a unique and special environment. None of the other colleges in the region provide a program like it. If you're interested in North Carolina history or the history of the south, there are more than a few teachers who can help. In the education department, one of the top instructors was the NC teacher of the year. He speaks at schools around the state and mentors teachers on how to improve their curriculum. I was lucky enough to have met professors within both departments that had won national and regional awards for their teaching and they provided me with insight that I still use today when I teach my students. As for the campus, I enjoyed using the athletic equipment at the student rec center, tailgating on Saturdays before football games, and just walking to class under the huge trees and spacious lawns. Downtown Greenville has a vibrant bar scene with plenty of music, dancing, food, and fun for the more adventurous crowd. If you're not into that, there a numerous clubs and organizations on campus as well as coffee houses in the area for a relaxed vibe. Overall, ECU exceeded my expectations in terms of education and lifestyle. My education there has changed me and my outlook on life since graduation."
Nicole Crevar
  • Reviewed: 12/11/2016
  • Degree: English
"I am currently working on my Master's in English, Multicultural and Transnational Literatures through their all-inclusive online degree. The professors are extraordinary, go out of their way to prepare future scholars, and instill a sense of commitment to the field. The coursework pertains to an array of transnational and multicultural literatures and is ideal for anyone looking to further their careers in the fields of education, cultural studies, literature, and more. I highly recommend this online program, which affords students the flexibility to earn a degree while working full-time."
T.J.
  • Reviewed: 9/26/2016
  • Degree: Communications
"I would encourage all students, particularly working adults, to consider East Carolina University's Online Continuing Studies program. The instructors, advisors, and curriculum are all geared toward the needs and interests of older students. A great program!"
Mikayla Paluzzi-Tate
  • Reviewed: 9/13/2016
  • Degree: Exercise Science
"Going into college I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in physical therapy. I originally planned on getting my bachelors in athletic training before obtaining my doctorate in physical therapy. I toured approximately 10 different schools up and down the east coast before applying to 7 of those schools. I had gotten into the dual degree program at Boston University which would have earned me a bachelors degree in athletic training and doctorate in physical therapy in six years. However, the program was 60,000 dollars a year and I received no financial aid. East Carolina University, on the other hand, also had a very good athletic training program and I received instate tuition from the Honors College. After narrowing my choice down to the University of Delaware, who has a top ranked physical therapy program, and East Carolina University, I ultimately decided on East Carolina University. That was the best decision of my life. East Carolina University requires you to apply into the athletic training program. The program has a rolling admissions process so although I qualified for a slot my application was too late and they had already filled their slots for the program for that year. I planned on reapplying after my freshman year of college and just taking prerequisites during my freshman year. This plan changed when I joined Army ROTC and knew I would not have enough time to complete my clinical hours required for athletic training. I changed my major to Exercise Physiology and that was the second best decision of my life. The first thing I believe needs to be discussed about the exercise physiology program at East Carolina is the advising faculty. I had two advisors before I declared my major as exercise physiology and while they were good, the advisors assigned to exercise physiology majors are exceptional. I was required by ROTC to fill out a four year plan of the classes I was going to take and have my advisor sign it every semester. A lot of the Cadets had a hard time making appointments with their advisors or their advisors would not actually look over their four year plan and they would be missing a class. My advisor not only made sure that I had filled in my four year plan correctly but also was personally invested in my future. The advisors for the exercise physiology program also teach classes so they know the material really well and can point you in the right direction if you are struggling with a certain class. When it came time to ask for letters of recommendation for physical therapy school my advisor was the first person I asked. The curriculum of a program is extremely important when deciding on whether a program is designed well or not. The exercise physiology department took a lot of time when deciding which classes would be prerequisites for others. I had friends who were other majors but were required to take the same classes as I. I noticed that they struggled with the classes a lot more than I did because they did not have the foundation of knowledge I had. I was really well prepared for all of the classes I took. There is also a variety of classes to take for electives so you are not required to take a class that does not interest you. Only 6 hours of electives are required but there are 31 hours of electives available. The classes range from obesity prevention to physical education for special populations. Overall, the curriculum at East Carolina was well thought out and prepares students for follow on education. Though the curriculum is important, the internship opportunities may be even more significant because that is where you get hands on experience and can decide if that is what you would like to do for the rest of your life. East Carolina is located very close to a hospital so many students will either complete their internship in the hospital or at a nearby cardiac rehabilitation site. Students can also work in the human performance lab located on campus. All of the common choices for internships were interesting to me but because I will be working as a military physical therapist I wanted to do something with a military population. My advisor signed off on what I wanted to do although it was not directly related to exercise physiology because he knew it would benefit me far more than the typical internship. I completed my internship in the biofeedback lab at East Carolina. The Recreation and Leisure Studies department at East Carolina treat clients with various methods of biofeedback. A large population of their clients has been military personnel. In the lab, heart rate variability is used to help Veterans with PTSD control their symptoms and increase their confidence. I assisted with the early stages of a study that will use a mobile telehealth system to train Veterans with PTSD referred from a naval hospital in heart rate variability to reduce their stress by increasing their heart rate variability. I tested the application and provided feedback on how to increase the user friendliness of the application before beginning the study. I also received the opportunity to work with a Veteran who received biofeedback training in the lab before and teach him how to use the application so that we could donate a tablet to him with the application downloaded. The knowledge I gained from this experience will allow me to use these techniques to assist my patients who are struggling with PTSD. Not many other universities would have been able to provide me with experience directly related to my future career. I was able to use to the biofeedback lab to my advantage and complete my internship there. The kinesiology department also has a variety of other labs with new technology that the students can use and gain experience in. The department possesses the biomechanics, human performance, developmental motor, visual motor, and activity promotion labs. The students can get connected with faculty who run the lab of their interest and complete their internship in that lab or even just shadow. The possibility for experience and knowledge in the field of exercise physiology are endless at East Carolina. While the curriculum and internship are opportunities are imperative when deciding which school to attend, the cost of that school also plays a huge factor. In-state tuition and fees at East Carolina University is $6,550 (2015-16), out of state tuition and fees is $22,124 (2015-16), and room and board is $9,319 (2015-16). East Carolina University in-state tuition is $4,157 before fees per year which is 37% cheaper than the national average public four year tuition. The average need-based scholarship or grant award is $7,771 at East Carolina. The exercise physiology program at East Carolina University is not only developed really well but it is also extremely affordable. Deciding on a school to attend is always a challenge. Choosing a program to pursue is even harder. My suggestion is to decide on a program before selecting the school. A school may be great but the program of your interest could not be the best. Look into the curriculum, faculty, technology, internship opportunities, and cost of a particular program of your interest before deciding which school is the best fit for you. I would recommend anyone who wants to major in exercise physiology to highly consider attending East Carolina University."
Jorge Quintana
  • Reviewed: 8/22/2016
  • Degree: Social Sciences
"I am currently in my first year of my Master's pursuit. So far, the curriculum focuses on the four field approach to obtain a wider understanding of Anthropology before committing to a specialty. The program is rigorous but the faculty and advisers are fair and knowledgeable."
Fiona Scott
  • Reviewed: 1/11/2016
  • Degree: Psychology
"The Industrial/Organizational Psychology Master's Program at East Carolina University is top notch. The professors care deeply for the material they present and for the success of the their students. The variety of classes built into the program is unique. East Carolina's program is designed to help students reach their full potential by requiring a thesis, internship, and comprehensive exams. There is not even a remotely high level of competition between students, which I consider to be a huge "pro" of the program. However, the same cannot be said of the faculty. There seems to be some contention between some of them. The biggest "cons" of the program would be the unprofessional conduct of faculty and lack of clarity in communication."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 11/3/2015
  • Degree: Social Sciences
"ECU was my first choice of the universities I applied to and I honestly had the best 4 years of my life. The teachers are passionate, educated, helpful, and 100% committed to helping you learn as much as possible and also helping outside of class. What really made my decision easy in picking ECU was the variety of majors and classes I could take. I took classes from Anthropology to French to SCUBA and there are so many more that are just as fun and interesting. There's also a lot to do on campus such as events, concerts, the movie theater, bowling alley, sponsored trips, rock climbing wall, etc. You'd be crazy to miss out on such an amazing learning experience as well as all of the super unique events you can become a part of."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 7/20/2015
  • Degree: Hospitality Management
"College was good. Taught me more about living on my own than actually what i learned in the classroom."
09 Student
  • Reviewed: 6/30/2015
  • Degree: Marketing
"Great school... wish there were more opportunities for working in groups. needed more follow up help for after graduation for job prospects. Professors and facilities were awesome."
Working Student
  • Reviewed: 4/30/2015
  • Degree: Business
"I do not recommend taking the MBA program at ECU. I am an Alumnae of ECU and WAS proud to return to get my Masters. After two difficult semesters that I enjoyed, I had to take Dr. Bello's Comparative Management class. This class is hard, which I am not the type of person to run from a challenge. But this kind of hard is because of the "teacher" himself. He does not teach! He provides a book that he combined from two other books and wants you to memorize the material. I personally asked for feedback or to at least review my graded papers and was denied. His advise to the class on studying was to keep re-reading the material. He changed the syllabus and added work the last few weeks of the grading period with a deadline two days after the final exam. Then when students began to question him (I know they did because I received several emails from other students wanting to complain) he threatened us with "an automatic reduction of our letter grade." Apparently the College of Business does not care either, because when they were asked for help we were told that the Professor has tenure and he has full control of his class. In short, do not take the MBA program at ECU if you have a job, family or life outside of school Changing schools!"