Honors colleges and programs aren't just about taking harder classes. They're about finding your people at a big university - students who share your curiosity and want to engage in their classes. Plus, you get some pretty great perks along the way. 

Understanding the Different Types of Honors Experiences

Here's where it gets confusing: every university structures their honors experience differently. There's no standard model, so you really need to understand what you're getting at each school.

• Some universities have university-wide honors colleges that overlay your regular major (like Arizona State's Barrett Honors College or Penn State's Schreyer Honors College). You're still majoring in biology or engineering or whatever, but the honors college provides additional seminars, research opportunities, special housing, priority registration, and other experiences on top of your regular coursework. You complete the same degree requirements as other students in your major, but you will also complete honors requirements like an honors thesis.
• Other universities have honors programs within specific colleges or departments (like UT-Austin, where there are separate honors programs in Engineering, Business, Liberal Arts, Computer Science, and other individual colleges). Each has its own requirements and benefits, and they're tied to specific majors or areas of study.
• Some honors programs are actually a major themselves These are less common, but at some schools the honors program itself is what you major in, often with an interdisciplinary liberal arts focus.

The key is that there's no one-size-fits-all definition.  The structure varies widely from school to school.

Why Consider an Honors College or Program?

Despite the structural differences, most honors experiences share at least some of these common benefits:

Academic Benefits:

• Some smaller, seminar-style classes with more discussion and interaction, often specialized offerings
• Priority course registration - this is a game-changer at large universities where getting into the classes you need can be a nightmare
• Access to undergraduate research opportunities, sometimes with specialized grants and funding
• Opportunity to participate in special study and research abroad experiences, sometimes with scholarships
• Faculty mentorship

Residential and Social Benefits:

• Built-in community - opportunity to meet students and build relationships with others who share your intellectual curiosity and commitment to learning
• Honors housing, often in newer dorms with better amenities
• Special programming like guest speakers and networking events
• Leadership and team-building programs
• Social and service-oriented outings to build connections

Long-Term Benefits:

• Enhanced career guidance services
• Faculty who know you well enough to write strong recommendation letters for grad school or jobs
• In some cases, guaranteed admission to competitive majors
• An honors thesis or capstone project that showcases your abilities

How to Apply to Honors Colleges and Programs

The application process varies from school to school. Here are the most common approaches:

Automatic consideration based on your regular application -  Some schools automatically review all applicants for honors admission. If your grades, test scores (when required), and application are strong enough, you'll receive an invitation to join the honors program. No extra work required.

Additional essay as part of your main application -  Many schools ask you to check a box indicating interest in the honors program and then write one or more additional essays. These essays are submitted along with your regular college application and are often due at the same time, or through their college portal shortly after submitting the main application.

Separate honors application -  Some universities require you to submit a completely separate application to the honors college after (or alongside) your regular university application. These often have their own deadlines, essays, and requirements. Make sure you're paying attention to both sets of deadlines.

The bottom line: You must check each school's honors website carefully to understand their specific process and deadlines.

Questions to Ask About Any Honors Program You're Considering:

Because every honors program is structured differently, you need to dig into the specifics at each school. Schedule an honors college/program tour separately from the general campus tour, and ask these questions:

About the Structure:

• How is this honors program organized? Is it a university-wide college that works with any major, or is it tied to specific departments?
• If I want to major in [your intended major], how does the honors program work with that?
• Can I be in the honors program regardless of my major, or is it only for certain majors?

About Requirements:

• How many honors courses do I need to take per semester?
• What's the workload like in honors courses compared to regular courses?
• What are the GPA requirements to stay in the program?
• Do I need to write an honors thesis or complete a capstone project?
• What percentage of students who start the program actually complete it? (Some programs have completion rates as low as 25%!)

About the Benefits:

• Is there separate housing for honors students? What are the amenities and location like?
• Do I get priority course registration? How does that work?
• What special programs, speakers, or events are available to honors students?
• Is there funding available beyond tuition scholarships - for study abroad, conferences, or research?
• What kind of advising and mentorship do honors students receive?

About Flexibility:

• What happens if I change my mind after starting the program?
• Are there additional fees for the honors program?
• If it's a self-contained honors college, how does that affect my ability to get involved with the broader campus?

The Bottom Line

Honors colleges and programs aren't for everyone, and that's okay. But if you want to build a community with students who share your intellectual curiosity, get access to special opportunities and perks, and create a tight-knit community at a large university, they're definitely worth investigating. Just remember: every program is different. Don't assume that what's true at one school applies to another. Ask lots of questions and make sure you understand exactly what you're signing up for.