I think many Honors colleges attract a good balance of students from a wide spectrum economically. Just because the student/family chose the state school over an Ivy or top 30 private university, does not mean they were unable to pay or “afford” the tuition, or were somehow in a lower income bracket. Some may be, others may not. There are bright students at both private and public schools. And being in the Honors program does not put you in a bubble where you only interact with Honors students!
Plenty of families are wising up to many positive factors of an Honors program at a state school, some of which include:
A. The value of saving those extra dollars for internships or study abroad as an undergrad, pay for graduate school, and/or the ability to help with expenses down the road such as a down payment on a car.
B. Many Honors programs offer great opportunities to stand out, do research, provide networks for jobs…
C. Big fish in a small pond
D. A successful education is less based on the school you attend, but what the student makes of the opportunities
E. Many state schools offer a strong education. Private universities may have an edge with smaller class size and more coddling, but there may be some character building by virtue of being in the "real world’.
F. When going for a job interview, employers are likely to look at grad school over what UG school attended
G. Avoid a potential ultra competitive environment and grade deflation. It may be a stereotype but you read about how students at elite schools like U Chicago or Columbia might not be the best quality of life for some. Of course that is not to say there are no students who are happy in an intensely rigorous environment.
No doubt there are positives that can be listed for choosing the small or midsize private university. We are looking at both. Ultimately, it will probably come down to fit, which may include what S feels about the student body, whether the area of study or major is strong, school spirit, the weather, housing, availability of internships and fun things to do outside campus, quality of life… Certainly affordability is a consideration as well. As others stated, it depends on the student and the family. One choice is not good for all.
Being enrolled at an honors college is a little like hanging out at the VIP lounge of a passenger air line. You’re given some privileges, but, basically you’re still stuck at an airport.
“Being enrolled at an honors college is a little like hanging out at the VIP lounge of a passenger air line. You’re given some privileges, but, basically you’re still stuck at an airport.”
These are all exaggerations or worse, but my preferred analogy is paying for a private is like paying for first class on a flight. You end up the same destination, and pay a lot more for more room and attention along the way.
I don’t see college as being stuck in an airport. Nor do I see an honors college like being in a VIP lounge. But even if we take that at face value, for many famlies like ours the costs are not equivalent. between a high end college and honors college.
I’m dating myself, but, I can remember a time when taking a trip to the airport (I grew up in NYC) was a thing; they were exciting gateways to exotic places. In a strange way, so was higher education. It’s a sad commentary on both that in some circles neither place is seen as a gateway to anything more exotic than the next job.
@circuitrider From my perspective when discussing being stuck in an airport, I associate it with negative connotations. Stuck implies cancelled flights, bumped off a flight, delays, etc. (My dd was traveling this weekend. Her flight was cancelled and she was stuck with her 2 yr old. Nothing exotic about it. ) I don’t see “stuck” as a good analogy for attending college. As a gateway, yes? Stuck? not so much.
^Times change. Things that were deemed luxuries a generation (or two) ago are now virtual necessities in an unforgiving economic climate. For many people, pursuing a college degree because they “have to” or are expected to, may feel like they are stuck at an airport. And being around so many people who feel that way may contribute to the same feeling.
I think it’ a poor analogy but in any case, honors colleges differ (as do unis) as do LACs as do majors as do goals as does the personality of each kid.
It behooves everyone to do their research and understand each individual kid.
Ridiculous analogy and no amount of clarification makes it less ridiculous. People choose the school that they attend for a variety of reasons, to make blanket statements regarding that choice just confirms one’s ignorance .
“Being enrolled at an honors college is a little like hanging out at the VIP lounge of a passenger air line. You’re given some privileges, but, basically you’re still stuck at an airport.”
You seem to be saying that flying first class still means you are stuck on the same airplane as all those other tourist class travelers. But when you can hire your own private jet – ahhh, now that’s when you are really experiencing flying in the manner in which certain people deserve.
“For many people, pursuing a college degree because they “have to” or are expected to, may feel like they are stuck at an airport.”
@circuitrider, I suspect you are more likely to find those “have to” or “expected to” students are the children of privilege.
If you are a student whose family has saved a long time to come up with the $20,000 or $30,000 (with room & board) it now costs to attend a state university, you are likely to be more serious about college. Certainly you don’t take it for granted the way many very affluent students do.
Right on! You’re preaching to the choir (I said as much in post #201.)
But, IMHO, both sides of the debate have been marked by a certain smug sense of superiority and all too ready aspersions about people’s “bias” and “ignorance” (and, No, I’m not taking the bait, no matter how tempting, about what it is like or not like being on board a flight with “All those People!”
And my son LOVES being stuck in the honors college of his State University and not being at the high end college. State colleges are not being stuck! They can be excellent!
) I don’t see “stuck” as a good analogy for attending college. As a gateway, yes? Stuck? not so much.