<p>Hello,
I have been curious about this for a while and have been unable to find an answer that fully satisfies the question: if I apply to a school and its honors program, and am accepted into both, is it possible for me to attend the school and choose to not join the honors program?
While the obvious answer appears to me that if I am accepted into the honors program I should still be able to attend the school normally, I wonder if denying the acceptance into the honors program would indicate to the school that you are not interested in attending the school.
Do the acceptances from the school and the honors program come separately or are they bound together in some way?
Thank you</p>
<p>I can’t speak for every school but from what we’ve seen, students are offered admission and then “invited” into or to apply for the honors program. My D has been “invited” into 5 honors programs so far. Some, the honors letter was in the initial acceptance mailing. Some, in a separate letter a week later. For some schools the invitation meant putting in a second application and essay. For others, it just meant filling out the form saying “yes” or registering for it online. We’ve not come across a school were the honors program was mandatory if you qualified. </p>
<p>No, they’re not “bundled” together. However, considering the perks Honors Colleges offer, very few students who get in turn them down.</p>
<p>I don’t think the perks are that great. My nephew turned his offer down, and I know I would and both of my kids would too. Just not what I was looking for at a university.</p>
<p>Would you attend the university without the Honors College, or are you saying your nephew chose to attend another school? Because if the Honors College doesn’t seem good enough, then the rest of the university won’t either. Not all Honors Colleges are Shreyer or Barrett, of course, but typically it means: priority registration (worth its price in gold), “honors” dorms (ie, senior-level dorms even for freshmen), small classes instead of big lectures, professors instead of TA’s, and in some cases, scholarships, special guest speakers, interdisciplinary seminars with special topics, special field trips, study abroad programs, scholarships for study abroad or summer research, priority access to research assistantships or research programs, personal support for fellowships, opportunity to write a thesis or an honors papers, to present at undergraduate conferences… In addition, if you intend to attend grad school or professional school, the Honors College serves as an external evaluation of your level vs. the “typical” level at your school and is all the more important if you’re attending a directional or lesser-known school.</p>
<p>“priority registration” - worth it right there.</p>
<p>Perks for honors programs vary by institution. Some include scholarship $$, priority registration, the ability to bypass intro classes, special trips, special housing, additional research opportunities, as well as additional requirements such as a capstone thesis. There are some schools where the extra work expected isn’t worth the perks. The schools D applied to - the perks were definitely worth it to her. It is possible to decline honors and still attend a school. I’ve not seen a schools where accepting honors was required for admission (not to say there isn’t one out there). But I know for D at her institution Honors has been a great program. Only you know if the requirements outweigh the benefits. </p>
<p>No, nephew went to UF, just didn’t want to be in the honors program, didn’t want to live in the special dorm, just wanted the regular college experience. Maybe he didn’t want to take smaller classes, IDK. My niece (they are cousins, not siblings, but the same age) is in her honor’s program. She likes it, doesn’t love it, and she gets none of the perks you listed of special scholarships or paid for study abroad.</p>
<p>When I was in school, there was an honors college but ‘regulars’ could take classes. I took a couple, but the only thing I really enjoyed about them more than a standard class was that they were graded H/P/F. I enjoyed my other classes too, and I would not have enjoyed writing a thesis. Went to grad school just fine without an honors diploma.</p>