Our DD was a NMF out of state and is attending UCF. Burnett honors was a deciding factor for her. She’s very happy. At a minimum I would suggest your Daughter attend one of the excellence honors dinners that explain the programs.
https://www.ucf.edu/admissions/undergraduate/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2018/08/1807ADM456-National-Merit-Scholar-Newsletter_LowRes.pdf
Beyond Burnett, UCF offered a couple of special programs (Burnett Medical Scholars / Medical Engineering Dual Degree) that were appealing. After looking at many schools she was on the hunt for a school with a special program that would allow her to focus on her end state outcome beyond just achieving a bachelor’s degree. These included BS/MS programs, dual degree, BS/MD programs, or embedded coop programs. Something to think about when you look at the differences between these schools IMHO.
UCF’s honors college is a big benefit from a class size perspective. Yes, my DD reports that the honors classes are small and academic. She has developed strong relationships with all the professors who she has interacted with for honors. This he led to research and club opportunities to interact with these faculty. Most to the honors classes are freshman / sophomore level. There are a limited number of upper level classes by major. One issue is that it’s not always possible to get the honors class. So, my daughter’s honors chemistry class was less than thirty people and her biology class was large/huge. I believe that UCF limits students official to three honors classes but parents report no limit in the scheduling system.
The freshman honors seminary received mixed reviews from our DD. It was a lot of time and picky requirements. That said, she did enjoy the speakers and activities (is was academic and she also enjoys academic). One item that went with the honors seminary was a volunteer requirement (fifteen hours). She also had volunteer hours required for one of her honors classes. Thirty hours volunteering was a bit much for her first semester. Here again, she enjoyed the volunteering and it helped acclimate her to campus so no real complaints.
I view advising as one of the biggest honors benefits. Honors students get to register early and for future terms. They also have access to a great set of advisers who can help navigate a very complicated process. At UCF lack of quality advising and inability to get into classes are probable the two chief complaints – our DD would tell you these have been non-issues. She has always gotten her classes and has great relationships with her advisers.
Honors housing is also something to consider. First honors students get access to honors housing in the (very nice) Tower’s apartments. Beyond this, as a NMF, your daughter would have guaranteed housing on campus for four years. That’s a big benefit at UCF as 30% of upper class-people who request on campus housing are denied and many don’t even try.
Beyond the base requirements my impression is that the honors college opens an almost unlimited number of activities. She participates in an unpaid internship that was from an honors email, she was in a poster review last semester and was awarded a small additional scholarship. She studies at the honors building. Honors is a big part of her college experience and it’s integrated both in the classroom and out of the classroom.
Feel free to PM me if your daughter would like to talk with mine for her perspective.