<p>How much does taking an honor course in college matter? If you choose not to take the honors course of a subject, and instead take the regular version, will grad schools care when you apply? What if an honors course is only offered during a certain semester?</p>
<p>At a school like cornell, one can almost think of every course as an honors course. At podunk state U, honors might be very important, but here at Cornell where a 3.4 GPA gives you a 90% of getting into med school on the first try, all the courses are viewed as challenging. Honors would help you stand out, but if you don't have it you aren't screwed. I doubt grad schools will look far enough into things to see that it wasn't offered the semester that was convenient for you though.</p>