I went to a competitive honors program of a big state school and it was the best of both worlds. My classes were small and challenging, a real step up from the regular curriculum, and we got other perks as well, like better housing and special speakers and programming.

Totally depends on the college. I got into the honors program at my first-choice college (a state flagship), but there wasn't much to the program. Only benefit was early registration for classes. I suppose I made friends with some of the other honors kids, but most of my friends wound up being the other out-of-staters, like me.

In my experience, being in the Honors program/college at a state flagship university gives the best of both worlds: small classes and ability to develop relationships with professors that you would expect at a SLAC, but all the opportunities and lower tuition of a large research university. Defintely check out the program, but many are worthwhile.

I was in the honors program at a private college, and there were many benefits. First of all, for all of the core requirements, the students in my classes were serious -- not there to party. So I definitely saw a different level of discussion in the honors classes compared to classes I took outside of the honors program.

I feel like I got more out of those classes.

But because I went to a private college, all the classes were small, and I liked that. No TAs. We had full access to professors.

I also got a significant scholarship to participate in the Honors program.

As for career prospects after college, I don't think honors made a difference.

A lot depends on what field the student is going into. Some universities might offer more opportunities, networking.

It's part of the overall package to consider, as well as whether the student is accepted directly into their major or will have to angle for that later. At some U's the attrition rate is pretty high for students leaving the honors program. Some find it too restrictive, some don't make the grades. Imagine that is more the fault of the make-up of the program rather than the student.

The honors program probably differs as greatly from U to U as any other characteristic.

One of my kids is in an honors program and really likes it.

The kids in the honors program mentored children here on political asylum as part of the program in their first semester.
She spent a semester studying in Greece.
She got first choice in the school where she is now student teaching.
She got priority registration every semester.
Class sizes were smaller in her honors courses and she developed great relationships with her professors.
She lived in the honors dorm and made some great friends from all over the world.
Best part for us? She was on a full scholarship.

It really is like a little college within the university.

Make that Penn State, not penny state!

I went to the honors program of a state school (penny state) and loved it. Having small classes and an honors dorm made it really easy to make friends quickly! I got a merit scholarship (on top of already comparatively low in-state tuition). There were a lot of opportunities to do research, special study abroad and internship programs, etc.

I got into every grad school I applied to, with fellowships/scholarships at most. Most of my friends did as well. Couple of people I knew got Fulbright and Rhodes Scholarships.

Of course, I don't have an experience at a highly selective school to compare it to. But I graduated with no student loans and I would not have at an Ivy League school.

Would it be better to aim to be a "regular" student at the most competitive college you can get into (assuming it is otherwise a good fit, of course), or would it be better to be a big fish at a less competitive school where you are offered a spot in the honors program? Are these programs just a bargaining chip for schools to attract candidates who could go elsewhere, or are they legitimately a great educational experience? I am sure it varies school to school, but I am curious for any feedback, including about specific programs. Several of the schools the DC has visited have these programs (I think many of the VA state schools do, for example), and my own college did not. We don't know whether to factor that into the decision where to apply (DC is a junior, obviously). Thanks!