<p>I got to a state university, so I'm in the honors college there. The perks of being in it are pretty good because of early registration and smaller classes. The downside is that there are several more general education classes required. My major is Biochemistry, which is about 6 required classes than most of the other majors. I would like to graduate in less than 4 years, but I can see that that isn't going to happen now with the amount of classes I have to take for the Honors College. I have it figured out so that I can do it in exactly 4 years, and that includes summers and an already tight schedule.</p>
<p>I plan on going to grad school or if that doesn't work out pharmacy school after graduation. Would having this college thing under my belt significantly help me as an applicant?</p>
<p>It depends on the level of grad school you plan to go to... if you want to go from State U to Harvard(or the like) then doing honors would probably be good. If not, then just do really well in your non-honors courses. </p>
<p>I asked the same question because in talking with engineering students and even faculty at the state school I'll be attending, most said that an honors distinction means nothing on an engineering degree. Most said it wasn't worth the effort. The extra effort goes into non-engineering courses(gen. ed) which take away from the engineering courses which matter. That being said, I'm currently signed up for the honors program because I figure it's easier to get out of the program than it is to get back in. I'm going to try it out and then make my decision.</p>
<p>"Yes, especially that you're coming from a state school."</p>
<p>It is amusing how some people on this site can be so shallow...It does not matter what kind of school you are coming from, graduating from Honors college is always better than without. You speak as if those graduating from state schools have no chance at success in life from the start, and are especially doomed if they do not have honors....Maybe we should start to think about how our posts will affect others before we spurt them out in the open.....no to be offensive...
But to answer the original question:</p>
<p>I think the extra time and classes will be well worth your efforts in the long run. An honor grad has an advantage over the others in grad school admissions and in the job market.</p>
<p>I think the state school thing is a valid assumption. There are some great state schools out there but there are also some pretty bad ones. Even at the great ones, it can be easy to slide through due to the sheer size and the honors program shows that you care more about your education than someone who is capable but doesnt try. </p>
<p>It's like the kid who is #1 in my class. He didnt take an advanced class in his life. He took the most general classes and drawing and normal level spanish (coming from 9 years of language immersion spanish program). Sure, he kicked ass and came out #1 in a public high school. He isnt a complete idiot or anything but he didnt get into any very good schools. Many people who were ranked much much lower than him got into way better institutions because their rank went down because they tried harder.</p>
<p>
[quote]
You speak as if those graduating from state schools have no chance at success in life from the start
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I didn't get that feeling from the post.</p>
<p>I would say do the honours thing. Take the school, whatever kind it is, for all it's worth. Graduating in less than 4 years would be cool, but there isn't really any hurry, is there?</p>
<p>I don't think so. I think both options have pros and cons, and one isn't much better over the other, though double majoring isn't as much as an advantage as it is sometimes made out to be</p>
<p>I say that a double major in math and engineering is good because most graduate schools want to know that applicants can handle highly rigorous mathematics. Plus, you're most likely going to be taking a lot math classes anyway, so taking a few more to satisfy a double major isn't such a bad idea. An electrical engineering major itself is pretty hard and requires many quantitative classes, but with a second major in math, it would solidify the fact that you have a strong math background, which can only benefit you.</p>