<p>My daughter seems to like the environs of 20,000-30,000 students...and a well known honors program within that context....rather than a more well respected private college and with either no "honors college" or one that is so small as to be unrealistic for her to get into.</p>
<p>Any opinions on "school reputation" vs. the generic "honors program" at State U?</p>
<p>Reputation is overrated. Honors programs are not generic. Each school handles their honors program differently. Be grateful that your daughter wants to attend a state school, and save the money. She will have many opportunities and you’ll be surprised at the great education she will receive.</p>
<p>If the state school is a good school…Say for eg. something similar to the level of Penn State, Ohio State, UMich etc. then go for state…</p>
<p>Every student has their own comfort zone. What is important is to ensure they are getting the best education in that context. Not all honors colleges at Big State Us are created equal and it’s important to vet them for content, requirements (how many classes do you have to take, GPA to stay in, etc.), benefits, etc. You seems to ‘get’ that some have real benefits while others are honors in name only. Students are largely going to excel in an environment where they are happy and feel they fit in. If what they want to study has a good department I would leave the decision up to my student as long as financing was doable at both. My student chose the school without honors (also public) because he felt he fit in better and the overall culture was more comfortable. Kids are different.</p>
<p>Many kids prefer the big state schools because many have the big “rah rah” atmosphere and more choices for majors, clubs and activities. </p>
<p>My kids loved their honors college experience at their big flagship univ. They did very well academically (one now in a PhD program, the other going to med school this fall), but they also loved going to Saturday football games and enjoying their off-campus hangouts with friends.</p>
<p>D2 had that situation and went with state school honors, but it is (for whatever rankings are worth) top public school honors program. All honors at Univ. of South Carolina get some scholarship, many that waive OOS tuition, so good bargain. At least here, the stats for accepted students were of the same quality as top LACs and OOS schools she applied to. Agree that you definitely have to research your options at state schools.</p>
<p>If you want to get some ideas based on ratings, check out publicuniversityhonors.com. Published last year, so fairly recent information. Again rankings are not the end all, but its place to start and you may get some ideas. Obviously, where you look also depends on finances. If you can afford prestigious OOS school and can get in that’s good too. For instance, UNC-CH has honors, but to get in without that as OOS student is still really good.</p>
<p>Mitch, I saw this post of yours in another thread:</p>
<p>*What are the best colleges from which to get at least “some” merit aid? Clearly the top privates have no interest in diversifying their classes. What exists now is a haves and have nots society at these campuses. Either the FAFSA qualifiers or you’re super wealthy. If you’re barely above FAFSA qualifying level, you simply cannot put your get through a at a $240,000 investment, and hope to remain in your home or buy clothes. Sorry. Hope this doesn’t offend anyone…but it’s how I feel.
*</p>
<p>(first of all, I agree that the elite schools are likely lacking in students who come from families whose incomes are upper-middle class because many can’t afford these schools)</p>
<p>The top schools don’t offer wide merit programs because all of their students are “top kids”. Some don’t offer any merit at all. Some will offer a few awards to carefully targetted students who help with ethnic or regional diversity numbers.</p>
<p>I noticed that you commented that USC doesn’t give much merit. USC is odd with merit. It’s generous with NMFs. It does award some full tuition awards, but there seems to be some odd down-select process for choosing recipients. My friend’s D with near perfect stats 4.0 2380 SAT got no merit from USC…even tho she’s a female eng’g major. She’s attending MIT. So, if you’re not a NMF, getting an award can be a crap-shoot.</p>
<p>If you want significant merit for your child, you have to “go down” in rank. I see that you’re looking at Oregon’s Clark Honors. I don’t know if there’s much merit assoc with that program, but I do know that acceptance is highly competitive. If your D is a junior and wants that big college honors experience, she should broaden her list to include some schools that she’ll have a more likely chance of honors acceptance and big merit…as a back up.</p>