<p>Can anyone tell me what are considered the top honors colleges in public universities across the nation? I'm really hoping to get into Shreyer's Honors College at Penn State, but I would like to also apply to some equally good backup colleges. My academics are excellent, abut my college choice, at least for undergrad, is restricted as far as money goes...</p>
<p>The Honors programs at UMD are supposed to be pretty good too.</p>
<p>UNC and UVA come to mind too.</p>
<p>UGA Honors is excellent. I hear Alabama is also putting a lot of effort into their honors programs.</p>
<p>William & Mary is an “honors” college unto itself. No other public school in America is like it.</p>
<p>University of South Carolina has a well-known and prestigious honors college.</p>
<p>*My academics are excellent, but my college choice, at least for undergrad, is restricted as far as money goes… *</p>
<p>What is your home state? Most publics do not give Financial Aid to cover OOS costs. However, a few give merit scholarships to OOS students.</p>
<p>So, if money is an issue, you’ll have to select schools with honors colleges that are generous with merit $$</p>
<p>What are your stats?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>It’s hard to be unique [New</a> College of Florida - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_college_of_florida]New”>New College of Florida - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>UVA, UNC at Chapel Hill, Univ. of Michigan come to mind. Maybe, UT at Austin.</p>
<p>UNC doesn’t have an Honors College. It’s a Program. Not the same at all.</p>
<p>UTexas Plan II is equal or better than Penn State Schreyer. Both are extremely selective.</p>
<p>Pitt has a good honors program.</p>
<p>
Agreed. People are just throwing out names, I think.</p>
<p>[Macaulay</a> Honors College](<a href=“http://www.macaulay.cuny.edu/]Macaulay”>http://www.macaulay.cuny.edu/) has a good reputation.</p>
<p>Does anyone know about Western Washington (in Bellingham, WA) University’s Honors?</p>
<p>I’m in agreement with those listed here and would add Arizona State to the list of ones I hear about a lot.</p>
<p>Collegemaw, I do know a good amount Western Washington University’s Honors Program (WA resident, toured, met with dean, applied, and seriously considered attending). Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about WWU or it’s honors program.</p>
<p>mom2collegekids: </p>
<p>my home state is Pennsylvania - hence, i would get in-state tuition at Penn State, which also gives a 3500 merit scholarship for its Honors program</p>
<p>my stats are
CUM UGPA: 3.97
SAT not great, but was first time I had taken them - reading 680, math 540, writing 640 (however, Penn State Schreyers doesn’t even look at SATs)
- a lot of extracurriculars, sports, job experience, etc. </p>
<p>I visited Pitt, and it honestly didn’t seem too impressive… </p>
<p>swish14: I’m looking into William and Mary too, it seems like a really good school. Can you tell me anything about it that I wouldn’t be able to get off the college website?</p>
<p>UVA doesn’t have an honors college. They have the Echols Scholar program, which you might say is equivalent, but not really. With those SATs, you’re not a viable candidate for Echols, though.</p>
<p>*my stats are
CUM UGPA: 3.97
SAT not great, but was first time I had taken them - reading 680, math 540, writing 640 (however, Penn State Schreyers doesn’t even look at SATs)
- a lot of extracurriculars, sports, job experience, etc. *</p>
<p>You’ll need to raise your SATs a good deal to get accepted into many honors colleges. Also, since you say that finances are an issue, you’ll need to raise your SATs substantially in order to get the merit money that you need.</p>
<p>How much will your parents spend each year on your education? </p>
<p>When will you take the SAT again (or the ACT)? </p>
<p>That’s interesting that Shreyers doesn’t look at SATs. What does it consider? Isn’t it super competitive to get accepted?</p>
<p>William and Mary… (not likely going to help you financially.)</p>
<p>Middle 50% of W&M students</p>
<p>SAT Critical Reading: 620 - 730<br>
SAT Math: 620 - 720<br>
SAT Writing: 610 - 710
ACT Composite: 27 - 32 </p>
<p>This will help you see how much you’ll have to improve your SAT for a good chance at W&M. But, again, it may not be financially possible.</p>
<p>I second Macaulay Honors College.</p>
<p>Schreyer is very competitive. They take about 300 freshmen from about 2300 applicants. I help with recruitment and the faculty tell us that they look at GPA, rigor of high school courses, ECs, and the recommendations and essays that are in addition to the regular Penn State application. From what I understand, they don’t consider SATs because they don’t think that test scores can really qualify someone as a scholar because they are looking for people who will use their knowledge to better society.</p>
<p>But if you get into SHC, consider Penn State, especially since you’re in-state, because you’ll get a great education at a relatively low price.</p>