<p>I know that typically the larger state universities have smaller honors programs with smaller classes etc for students of that state the have exceptionally high grades or statistics. But does anyone know anything about honors programs at smaller schools? My son did not apply, but has been offered admission to the honors program at his first choice school. However, the school has only 1900 students so the classes are small regardless of which program you enter. I am concerned about it putting too much pressure on him, but on the other hand, I think it's a great opportunity for him to be in a position to be offered more hands on work with professors in addition to the social aspect. Apparently this honors program also involves doing community service and possibly living arrangements. Not sure if the living arrangements would be al that different as in such a small school they are not probably all that segregated.</p>
<p>The big plus is the volunteer groups , discussion meetings, community service, hands on relationships with professors etc would be right there for him to participate in, rather than him having to seek these things out. Anyone have any experience, good or bad? Or is this just an ego boost trying to encourage him to go there?</p>
<p>Honors programs usually require involvement in special courses and/or activities. If they happen to coincide with your son's interests, then the program may be a very good choice for him. But if he would consider them a burden because they would take time away from his real interests, then the program may not be such a good idea.</p>
<p>At one of the colleges that my son applied to, he was invited to apply for the honors program. He chose not to apply because participation in the honors program would have required him to take a larger number of liberal arts courses and the courses would have been more rigorous than those in the regular program. Since he planned to major in computer science, he thought that the heavier liberal arts emphasis would actually detract from what he wanted to do. He ended up attending a different college, so we don't know whether his decision not to apply for the honors program at this school was a good one. But I think his rationale for opting out was sound.</p>
<p>Especially because it's a trend, and everyone wants to have one, you really have to look closely on a school-by-school basis to see what it means. There's no official definition. Some common (but not universal) elements are special, small classes (often just in the first year, sometimes beyond that), separate more intensive advising, priority registration, special programs involving more access to faculty or guests, special housing or priority housing in popular dorms, honors theses . . . and, of course, feeling "honored" and making it easy to meet "peers". Even a couple of these elements can make it seem worthwhile, or not, depending on the kid.</p>
<p>Where does your son attend? My son is planning on majoring in computer science too. Accepted to Case Western, OSU Honors and waiting to hear from Carnegie Mellon ( his top choice).</p>
I know of a couple of "Honor's" programs where members selected do get substantial opportunities to do work far beyond what others routinely get, even at a small college. </p>
<p>Neither school I'm speaking about specifically meet the 1900 mark, and both are "larger" but maybe there is something more universal that can be learned. At both schools there are great "tutorial" one to one , or one to two learning experiences. Very British . Very cool. ;) In others there are multi-disciplinary seminars that require massive participation in the seminar by the students. Very exciting to the right kid. A sheer nightmare for others. Other programs are like "Great Books" programs , reading the actual source texts as their textbooks. As to all the other stuff outside of class, that's all great but...it's the different learning experience some programs can bring that I would value the most. </p>
<p>I would concentrate there but as always YMMV . At their best these programs can really put the Tiger in the Tank of some unique kids. But not all kids like strawberry ice cream on cherry pie. ;)</p>
<p>Do not worry about too much pressure. Remember that it is HIS decision, you only advise. Encourage him to go for it if it interests him, he can exit the program but could have later regrets if he worried about it being too difficult and didn't try it. He is good enough for this school and its honors program or they wouldn't invite him, he can choose to go for it or settle for the regular path. </p>
<p>If it is a matter of choosing this school over another I would go for the school where he isn't necessarily the elite student, ie his peer group would be the whole student body, not just the honors students.</p>
<p>DS was offered an honors program that gave him the "opportunity" to take classes beyond the normal course load. His response? "Why would I want to take EXTRA classes? I think I'll have enough work as it is!"</p>
<p>One reason to enter the honors program is for the benefits it offers the students.</p>
<p>My son is at FDU and he began in the honors program. In the begining, the perks were well worth it and he did not find the honors section classes too difficult for him. By junior year, he could no longer find any perks to the honors program - just lots of additional work so he decided to drop out of that program. I will admit to being disappointed, but he really did give it a lot of thought. I had noticed quite a bit of attrition in the honors program between sophmore to junior year and now I understand why. It's too bad really.</p>
<p>So, you are more likely to get the classes you want (and subsequently be able to finish in 4 years) if you are in honors. At OSU, the honors requirements cause more work but not a miserable amount more.</p>
<p>Kids from my D's HS who are considering OSU definitely want OSU honors.</p>
<p>Hi bookreader, my son is at FDU also, but he's a freshman so the benefits of the honors program are still bright and shiny for him.</p>
<p>There are only about 2500 students on his campus, which qualifies as small in my mind. There are 2 honors programs at FDU, one a general honors track, and one specific to disciplinary interests (Business, Science, Arts & Humanities, Global Studies). My son is in the latter program. All honors students get to live in suite-style dorms freshman year which are usually upperclass dorms, they take a special seminar (which in his case involved trips to NYC every 3 weeks or so to meet artists and experience various cultural things), and they have priority registration privileges (like the OSU honors students above) -- and this is no small perk! </p>
<p>While he wasn't sure at first whether to apply and then accept the honors program, he tells me now that it was an excellent move. It was a little extra work, but he says it was totally worth it for the perks and for the community of students he was able to meet and be part of.</p>
<p>Yes, the perks of the honors program are HUGE in the begining. My son is a commuter student, so the housing offer wasn't a perk for him. Considering the fact that there is a large commuter population, I think they should consider another perk for the honors students. The ability to register for classes early is a nice perk, but it really goes away as a big deal once you are an upperclassman since you get to register early already anyway. The junior honors seminar is NOT a fun class to take at all. So, all that extra work and no tangible benefit.</p>
<p>BTW, my son was in the general honors track. </p>
<p>Hey, can I make a plug for your son to seriously consider going to Wroxton? My son just got back and it was the experience of a lifetime. FDU does an excellent job with that program. If can give you an insider look at that if you'd like. DS chose FDU in large part because of the opportunity to study in England and he was not disappointed.</p>
<p>It would help to know school names as honors programs/colleges vary substantially from school to school in terms of quality, benefits & necessity.</p>