Clemson's Calhoun Honors College or UGA's Honors Program???

<p>So I've gotten into each of the honors programs at Clemson and UGA however I am having a tough time deciding on one over another. I know I cannot go wrong with either choice but there is something about Clemson I really like, and I am leaning towards Clemson. I am in state in Georgia so costs will be cheaper, but I did get almost in state tuition at Clemson with their out of state merit scholarship. Does anyone have any thoughts that might help? I've heard great things about UGA's honors program and it being nationally known but would there be more opportunities at Clemson since their honors college is significantly smaller than UGA's? Both schools have the program and degree I want to go into, so my decision doesn't depend on this. Since both colleges are great schools, should it just come down to which campus I like better and which one I feel I fit in better at? Thanks for any input, I appreciate it!</p>

<p>What do you plan to study?</p>

<p>The most significant objective differences between the two are cost. If you are admitted to UGA honors, then you are probably eligible for Hope/Zell Miller which will cover some tuition costs. In state tuition at Clemson is about 13K and you would pay less than that for UGA. Room and board are about the same.
Although you like Clemson, how much more are you willing to pay for that, and if you went to UGA, what could be done with that money? Perhaps it would enable you to do a study abroad or other enrichment, or perhaps your parents can use it to help a sibling go to college. Regardless, one needs to consider what that money can buy and what your family might do with it.
What are the terms of your merit scholarship? You are a good student, so you are likely to do well, but if your GPA drops, you would be required to pay out of state fees, but are still in state for UGA.
What are the components of the two honors programs and would one offer you more than the other?
I don’t think you can go wrong academically with either choice, so other factors come to importance in this choice.</p>

<p>I plan on going into biological sciences on a premed track and maybe minoring in genetics (hopefully get into medical school after undergrad), and Ive heard UGA has an amazing genetics program. It makes decisions harder too, but Clemson’s merit scholarship gave me 15K a year for four years and I need to keep a 3.0 cumulative GPA with a minimum of 12 credit hours a semester. I qualify for zell miller which does make UGA cheaper, and the money saved by attending UGA could definitely be used for say an internship or some research with a professor. It would be very valuable for sure to have. Nobody else at my school is really in the same situation so it’s nice to hear someone else’s thoughts along with my parents! Thanks!</p>

<p>The Zell Miller is a “merit” scholarship for top students in GA. Another consideration is if one honors college is better than the other for achieving your goals, but they both are very good. Compare classes, research, honors dorms, advising. Both honors programs are great, and they seem to offer all these opportunities. Compare the honors classes and what choices there are of classes to take. Both have study abroad options.I think, in general, they are very similar. </p>

<p>With both programs being good, value for your money comes into consideration. If you were a SC resident with a tuition scholarship ( which ZM is) and choosing between Clemson and paying UGA tuition, it would sway me towards Clemson. Your best value is UGA.
Have you had a chance to visit the honors college at UGA? </p>

<p>I haven’t seen UGA honors yet but there are dates coming up where I can go and learn a little more about the honors program. I am planning on attending one of those dates sometime this spring. Ive seen Clemson’s honors college already as well. In my acceptance to UGA honors, they invited me to these days to see the honors college and talk with students and professors and so on. Ive been to UGAs campus many times but never had a tour of the honors program so I am definitely attending one of those days.</p>

<p>Hey there! I would definitely recommend coming to one of our Admitted Student Days! You’ll get a GREAT feel for what our students experience on campus, and I think it will make you feel much more comfortable about making an informed decision. We recently hired a staff member who works with our pre-med students to create their personal statements, prepare for exams, interviews, etc. She is an incredible resource for our students. We also have a great connection with the GRU/UGA Medical Partnership campus (an extension of the medical school in Augusta) here in Athens. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Recruitment/Enrollment Office at 706.542.1651. Good luck with your decision!</p>

<p>Thanks! I signed up for one of the Honors Admitted Student Days in April!</p>

<p>The connection with the medical facility and the pre-med adviser are great resources. Although there are things you liked about Clemson, I think you will find all those things at UGA as well and possibly more. I think students tend to look at out of state options with fresh eyes- everything about them is new, but taking the same good look at UGA will show that it has a lot to offer. </p>

<p>That’s a very good point. I’ve always been looking out of state just because it’s different…or its away from what I’ve been used to for quite some time. I’ve always kind of pushed UGA aside but I’m sure after I take the time to visit the honors program and talk with other students and all, then I’ll realize they have everything I am hoping for. I just want to be surrounded by more people like me, someone who is very serious about school and isn’t looking to goof off in college. And being in the honors program will certainly surround me with people of the same mentality. Like I said before, not many people in my high school are in the same situation as I am so it’s nice to hear all of your thoughts. A lot of my friends applied to just one school and by this time a lot of seniors seem to already know for sure where they will be attending next fall. Nobody really wants to talk about choosing colleges!!</p>

<p>According to the website, the profile of the honors students at UGA states that there are 525 students with an average GPA of 4.07 and M+CR SAT of 1462. I think you would be among students like you. </p>

<p>In all fairness to SC, both states have exceptional honors colleges programs. Students in those states are fortunate to have them as affordable choices, and they attract out of state students as well. GA students are especially fortunate to have the Hope/Zell Miller opportunities, and an outstanding honors college at UGA. You have one of the best in your home state. </p>

<p>You could compare the honors offerings: how many classes per semester do the Honors students take? 1/5, 3/5? What are the perks but also the opportunities at each (especially re: research, presenting it, stipend for the travel to the research conference, help with writing abstracts and grant applications, number of national fellowship/grant winners recently…)</p>

<p>I’ll definitely look into those, and I’ll ask a ton of questions when I go visit in April. I have until May 1st to decide and I already have priority housing and registration to both colleges so I don’t need to answer as soon as possible. I’ve already looked into UGA a little and I need nine honors courses to graduate with honors. I’ll look to see what classes my major requires and which ones overlap with honors classes. Thanks!</p>

<p>Actually, I meant, if you wish to take 4 Honors classes out of 5, can you do it? Or do you only have 1 honors class and then for the 4 others you’re in the large lecture hall where the content won’t be presented with the same depth or with the same approach, targeting a lower-level “typical” student? Because honors students tend to do better in their honors classes than in the big “lecture hall” format, it’s important for you to know how many honors classes are offered each semester and how many students take, on average. At some colleges, there may just be 2 for the freshmen and 2 for the sophomores, at others, dozens and dozens of choices. in almost all cases, honors sections overlap with their “regular” version in terms of credit and distribution requirements.</p>

<p>Oh okay I see what you are saying. I’ll look into that and see if the two colleges differ or offer more or less compared to the other. Thanks!</p>

<p>What are your parents saying? Are they saying that they’re willing to pay a LOT more for Clemson for essentially an equivalent “state school” “honors college” experience?..especially if premed? </p>

<p>the Zell Miller at UGA, means paying less than $15k per year for UGA right? Clemson would be about $30k per year, right? If so, that’s a $60k difference. That would be a chunk towards med school. </p>

<p>If your parents won’t pay, how will the costs get covered?</p>

<p>"Actually, I meant, if you wish to take 4 Honors classes out of 5, can you do it? Or do you only have 1 honors class and then for the 4 others you’re in the large lecture hall where the content won’t be presented with the same depth or with the same approach, targeting a lower-level “typical” student? "</p>

<p>The student will be premed. The premed prereq classes, even if honors, will likely be large. Either way, usually those classes aren’t targeting the lower level typical student.</p>

<p>I’m guessing that this student also will be coming in with AP credits that will allow skipping some of the history/humanities classes that can also be large lecture classes.</p>

<p>Are these two schools your only choices?</p>

<p>I will have taken 15 AP classes after this year and Ive gotten mostly 5’s on the exams so I’ll definitely get a lot of credit for some of those humanities/history classes. I’ll also be just about done with calculus because I’m taking georgia tech calc 2 and 3 right now through a “distance learning” class. So I wonder what kind of math I might have to take as a biology/genetics major, since there has to be a lot of math associated with genetics. I also applied to UCLA, Berkeley, Stanford, Princeton, and UNC chapel hill to see what they might offer…even though I dont anticipate much of anything in terms of money to parly for tuition. I havent heard back from them yet…I applied regular decision since those top schools are all binding if you apply early. UGA and Clemson will probably be the cheapest options but who knows…thats why I applied.</p>

<p>And my parents haven’t said much yet exactly… UGA is much more attractive to them of course since it is about half the price, and I obviously have to agree with them on that! I want to go to medical school and an extra 50-60k would go a long ways! Once we hear back from the other colleges then I guess we’ll talk more about it and just see what’s on the table. The last college I’ll hear from is Stanford on April 1st, so after that I’ll be able to decide 100% and pay the commitment deposit.</p>

<p>But ultimately if it comes down to Clemson and UGA, I would’ve rather already gone through the thoughts for each one before hand instead of in April so I can have one less college to potentially pick from. I’m not trying to sound like I’ll have so many options, but just in case, I’d like to decide now. Plus it’s fun to talk about college. I can’t wait!</p>