You’re right, it’s probably easier to be top 20% in each class* at UNCW than at UNC.
In order to succeed, premeds must be at a college where they’re in the top 25% students.
For UNC-W, it means being above 1320 on the SAT and above 4.03 wGPA.
For UNC, it means being above 1450 on the SAT and above 4.4 wGPA. (UNC is one of the GREAT public universities in the country, with a 22% admission rate so KUDOS to her for getting in. The competitors are UMichigan, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UVA, all “public Ivies”.)
As you can see, there’s a big difference in “top achievement” between the two.
UNC will definitely carry more weight if, like more premeds, she doesn’t go to med school.
However, unless she’s clearly well above these stats (and has taken AP Bio, AP Chem, and AP Calc) being premed at UNC is risky.
Honors college adds some support, a personal adviser, typically priority registration (meaning the honors students can take classes when they learn best: early risers early in the morning, night owls later in the day… they can take the best classes with the best professors, which is a huge advantage).
- premeds need to be top 20-25% in each class they take, regardless of where they attend college + choose a major that allows them to shine. That major doesn’t need to be a science, BTW, as long as she takes all the premed prereqs plus some recommended. So, if she’s strong in Math, she can major in Math, and if she’s strong in Spanish, she can major in Spanish.
Pre-med prereqs&recommended:
General Bio 1&2, General Chem1&2, Organic Chem, General Physics 1&2 (algebra-based=fine), English composition+ another English course (advanced writing, interpersonal communication…), Calculus, Biostatistics, Psychology, Sociology + Biochemistry, Neuroscience or Cognitive science, knowledge of a language spoken by immigrants to the US (in case you need to treat someone whose native language is not English! + experience at a clinic with people using this other language is a +), and a diversity-focused course, philosophy, medical ethics. If majoring outside of STEM, more advanced science courses.
In addition, premeds must volunteer in clinical settings and with people different from themselves (socially, demographically… ie., elder patients, homeless patients, refugees, rural if you’re from an urban area, urban if you’re from a rural area…) to show their ability to function in environments they’re not familiar with; involvement that shows leadership; research, especially if aiming for a MD/PHD. Some students work as CNA or EMT in order to increase time with patients.
In order to juggle all that while remaining at the top of one’s class requires incredible time management and focus (which you want your doctor to have :p). By trying to be at least top 20-25% in every class (below that and your grades are no longer “med school worthy”) and aiming for A’s (with office hours and tutoring baked in, immediately, not waiting till midterms are coming) you know you are on track for a 3.75+ GPA (different from HS - imagine a top 10% GPA).
Doing all that in less than 4 years is impossible.
That’s why ALL premeds must have a Plan B - another major than biology, to start with.
Many premeds don’t make it. Of those who make it till the end, a MAJORITY never get even one acceptance to med school.
Having the strongest possible application takes time and without it, no chance of getting into med school. (There are DO schools, too, which are legit and train most family doctors nowadays; PA is shorter than med school and well paid, but it requires 10 hours of patient contact per week every week of every year in college, and more over the summer to offset finals week, breaks, and holidays.)
I hope this helps!
I’ve tried explaining what you said to her (about the commuters) but she is 18 and knows everything. 
She has mentioned being a medical examiner or forensic pathologist, but that still requires medical school so I suppose it doesn’t matter. She had mentioned wanting to learn ASL but I don’t think that would be as beneficial as Spanish.