<p>Daughter was accepted into the honors program of a large state university. We know the on-campus advantages, but what about it she were to decide to transfer? Would it be beneficial for her to say she had been in the honors program as a freshman? Or would it not really matter since it is a large state university, not say, an ivy league school?</p>
<p>What about if she were to stay and graduate? Any resume advantages to that?</p>
<p>Being in honors is better than not being in honors. But I can't say that it would be a huge boost for transferring.</p>
<p>And again, having honors on your resume is good, but it's not going to be a more impressive name on a resume than an Ivy.</p>
<p>Thanks. Do you have personal experiene with an honors program, or just guessing?</p>
<p>Not sure which state school you're talking about, but I also go to a state school and a lot of kids in the honors program here are Ivy-caliber students that turned down bigger-name schools because of the cost.</p>
<p>I'm sure it would help if she were to transfer, though the actual grades earned during the year would probably be more important than saying that you were in honors.</p>
<p>if she transfers the new school might evaluate her as having taken more challenging courses and give her some benefit for that (assuming the honors program does have some separate classes, not just an "honors" discussion section). A much larger benefit is the contact that honors programs try to foster between faculty and students. Most assign a faculty advisor, and if she is in smaller honors classes it will be taught by a prof instead of a grad student. In transferring (and for PhD grad school apps) recs are very important. Of course your D still has to make the effort to get to know her profs and impress them.</p>
<p>As for stay-and-graduate, not too much here. Companies don't hire based just resumes. The degree qualified you for an interview, and its a level field after that. Are they more likely to choose someone with honors college? Maybe, but its hard to quantify. The main reason here is that honors programs have become a dime a dozen; every large public has to have one, and the quality varies greatly between them. Some firms care greatly about name of the school on your diploma, but those firms aren't going to be impressed by honors college.</p>
<p>If you're interested in graduate school, the note about honors will only boost your app in case of a tie. Graduate schools, especially law schools, rely almost PRIMARILY on test scores and GPA.</p>
<p>
[quote]
lot of kids in the honors program here are Ivy-caliber students that turned down bigger-name schools because of the cost.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>GoldShadow - really? While I don't deny that there are some really excellent students who are attracted to a state honors program because of the cheaper tuition, I'm skeptical that the student bodies of honors colleges exactly size up those of top LACs, Ivies, or Ivy comparables. With top colleges maintaining such high endowments nowadays, it is rare for a top school to accept you and look the other way when you can't pay.</p>
<p>bump.........</p>
<p>fhimas, I believe most of the Ivy caliber students who attend state honors program are from middle class families that refuse to pay the high tuition to attend the more prestigeous colleges. Most of the Ivy school's financial aid are base on need only while a middle class kid can get merit scholarship to attend the state honors program and thus save a lot of money.</p>