Choosing an Honors Program at a Community College

Lani Milton had taken AP and honors classes at her Central Florida high school.  In her senior year, she was receiving letters from interested four-year colleges. But the 19-year-old student is budget-conscious as well as book-smart.  

"I was really undecided about my major, so I didn't want to go into a four-year university not knowing what I was going to do," says Milton. "Universities are a lot more expensive, and I didn't want to pay just to experiment with classes."

After consulting with her parents, Milton decided to live at home and enroll in al local community college honors program. "I really enjoy school and enjoy learning," she says, "and I thought the honors program would give me a little bit more academic rigor."

Milton's decision is increasingly common, according to The Washington Post, which reported on the rising number of high school graduates "who pass over top-drawer public and private universities to become honor students at community colleges."

Buffeted by the recession, these students are opting for selective honors programs as a way to save money on their first two years of college. Then they're transferring to four-year schools, including some of the country's most prestigious universities.  

But money isn't the only factor driving talented students to the College's honors program.  

"They know class sizes are going to be a little bit smaller and more academically challenging," says Laura Ross, dean of the Arts and Sciences Division at Seminole State. "They like the fact that their fellow honors students are competing for admission to top universities, and many are aiming for graduate school afterward."

In addition, most honors programs offer students a dedicated study center, opportunities to study abroad, faculty advisers and priority scheduling.

Briana Kiefer married and started a family after high school but recently decided to return to college. Passionate about becoming a pediatric surgeon, Kiefer knew she would feel at home in an honors program.

"It's friendly and familylike," says Kiefer, 22. "By the end of the first semester, you know everyone's name."

Editorial provided by Loraine O'Connell, Communications Coordinator at Seminole State College of Florida