Frank Bruni, of the New York Times, recently profiled a student who turned down offers of admission from Harvard, Princeton, Yale and other hyper selective colleges to enroll in the honors college at his home state public school, the University of Alabama.  The student’s decision to bypass opportunities to study at some of the most prestigious universities in the country for a program closer to home with generous financial aid, that offer small classes filled with other high achieving students highlights a growing trend for students seeking a college within a college experience through honors programs.

Through an honors college program, your child may be able to create a college experience similar to a private school within the confines of a large public university.  This includes research opportunities with faculty, small classes, and career and internship guidance.As the cost of tuition skyrockets and it becomes more challenging to earn admission to many well known universities, consider honors college programs at public universities.  They may offer the type of college experience your child seeks at a fraction of the price than you were expecting. College is a growth opportunity.  Keep an open mind to discover amazing opportunities .