Jessica Martin
Director of Undergraduate Academic Advising Coordination
Clemson University
Public colleges are often overlooked by students and parents because their names create assumptions that aren’t true—like thinking a public college or university isn’t going to give you the rigorous academics you’re looking for.
Before you brush off a college as not challenging enough, take a second to look at some stats. Look at the average SAT and ACT scores and the average GPA or class rank of the school’s incoming freshman class, but also see if the school has an honors program and what the average test scores and GPAs are for students in that program.
Honors programs at public colleges and universities are amazing resources that can offer students smaller class sizes, extra research opportunities, and a host of other perks. If you don’t like public colleges because you think their admission policies are all about boosting their numbers, consider applying to the honors program. They usually look beyond test scores and GPA and focus more on a student’s recommendation letters and essays to determine who is eligible for membership.
It’s important to remember that every school is different, so be sure to ask if an invitation to join the honors program is automatically considered when you apply or if a student must submit an additional application.
Are you interested in honors programs after this expert advice? Learn more about your options with our article Are College Honors Programs Worth Your Time and Energy?