UMD in state vs. Delaware honors?

[Anonymous]

To me, honors is like AAP in elementary school. People make a big fuss, but it’s no big deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are people (parents, really) obsessed with Honors College? It doesn’t even go on the student’s transcript.

It very much depends on which school you're at. Some schools it's great and meaningful, other schools not so much. I think the UMD people saying Honors College is not a big deal are trying to reassure OP that UMD is the better choice even without Honors College for an in-state kid based on value and quality of education.

My law school roommate went to UMD back in the day and Honors College really was a big deal and meaningful back then -- so apparently it's changed a lot over the years.

I say this as someone who did honors at UMD "back in the day". No one has EVER asked me or cared about whether I graduated with the "honors college" stamp on my transcript. Absolutely no one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - glad to see there is a consensus here and it’s what I was thinking too. I had asked the question because I know a few people who are saying they would definitely go with honors at UD over UMD. Just didn’t make sense to me.

who are these people? Where are their kids going to college?

[Anonymous]

Different take: which one does the student want? And if they’d rather do Delaware, is the cost ok with your budget? While I think Md is a better choice, my kid didn’t want to stay instate.

[Anonymous]

There are some schools that have amazing honors programs/colleges, where the delta between being in honors and not actually is quite significant. Arizona State, Kansas, South Carolina, and Oregon fall into that category. I know Delaware's honors college is pretty well regarded, but I don't know if it's at that level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To me, honors is like AAP in elementary school. People make a big fuss, but it’s no big deal.

Nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kid didn’t get into honors at UMD. Would it be worth it for the honors program to go to U Delaware?
Major is undecided but leans toward STEM.

Absolutely not.
Unless admitted to for example Eng or CS with no matriculation to a major instate 1000%

How is this even a ?

[Anonymous]

Honors at UMD is appreciated by parents and students for bragging rights and acknowledgement of someone who is bright, worked so very hard in high school, was savvy about how they spent their time and probably is short on sleep.
It isn't a determinant of success. It doesn't mean your student is 'less' than anyone else's who did get into 'Honors' or 'Scholars' or whatever label.
As someone who teaches at UMD, we have no idea who is an Honors student when they show up to class. It's not in a student's academic record that most professors see. For most, it's a nicer first dorm and a two-year set of extra/special classes (that many people bail out on). Departmental honors can be great to stand out in your major. Making time to talk with your professors; trying new things in your classes or major or campus organization; and interacting with the college administration to make your school better will be a MUCH larger determinant of success. Show up to events, put yourself out there as a kind and thoughtful person, read your email, and talk with other people and you are already a success. Save your money and use it for a down payment on a place to live and they are now in the 1%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UMD, not even a question.

Honors is nbd, really.

-signed parent of a kid at UMD honors

This.

[Anonymous]

My DD was accepted to the UMD honors college this cycle. It honestly doesn’t seem that great. I would have your child pick between the schools based on the schools overall as I think there are many differences.

[Anonymous]

OP my DD was accepted to UDEL Honors and UMD Scholars a few years ago.

She chose UMD because it was cheaper and she wanted to be close. She started as a Biology intended major but was “weeded” out.

Sometimes I wonder if she would have been better off UDEL where the classes wouldn’t have been quite as competitive.

My kid is shy so while I don’t believe these programs offer much in terms of academics, I think they do add a lot in terms of socio-emotional support for the shy kid. My DD met her best friends in her program. She’s become more extroverted.

TLDR: Honors programs are most helpful for introverts. Extroverts will be fine anywhere. The programs mostly offer a way to meet people. Don’t get hung up on Honors vs Non-Honors.

[Anonymous]

Any idea what the DE honors program offers? Seems many posts don’t ascribe a ton of value to UMD honors, but other state flagships it seems relevant.

Maybe hone in on what DE honors gives you.

[Anonymous]

OP - if I remember correctly - your DC can still get an honors distinction from the academic department for their major if they do the extra work for that department's "honors" degree.

I feel like general honors at UMD is more about a living community.

You could also Seek out other programs like Fire or Scholars

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP my DD was accepted to UDEL Honors and UMD Scholars a few years ago.

She chose UMD because it was cheaper and she wanted to be close. She started as a Biology intended major but was “weeded” out.

Sometimes I wonder if she would have been better off UDEL where the classes wouldn’t have been quite as competitive.

My kid is shy so while I don’t believe these programs offer much in terms of academics, I think they do add a lot in terms of socio-emotional support for the shy kid. My DD met her best friends in her program. She’s become more extroverted.

TLDR: Honors programs are most helpful for introverts. Extroverts will be fine anywhere. The programs mostly offer a way to meet people. Don’t get hung up on Honors vs Non-Honors.

I think this is a good point. There are other ways to get this sort of support at schools...whether it be among kids or getting mentors who encourage a more introverted student to engage with adults, jobs, courses etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - glad to see there is a consensus here and it’s what I was thinking too. I had asked the question because I know a few people who are saying they would definitely go with honors at UD over UMD. Just didn’t make sense to me.

U Delaware Honors students get first choice of courses during registration. Can be the difference between graduating on time versus needing an extra semester or year.

Better housing options.

Many universities do notate honors college on transcript, but not sure about U Delaware.

Honors College is a big deal at many universities, but most are in the South. Often includes large merit scholarship, small intro classes,special advising, special housing, first for course selection, and sometimes paid foreign travel study during breaks.

Must apply for & be accepted for U Maryland Honors in order to be eligible for most generous merit scholarship.