<p>I separate courses from dorm choices. By all means Honors couses are the way to go, especially in fields that interest your child. However, do not attempt to force her to take every course offered for honors, some courses may suit her better in the regular format- I took German without the added honors work eons ago, for me doing the extra work didn’t meet my goal of reading German scientific lit and I wasn’t into the culture. Honors courses are generally better- as stated above- material, depth and the peers in the class. If she is invited to join the Honors program/college she is capable of handling the work and should join it to get the maximum benefit from her college experience. Public schools serve both the regular and the gifted state residents, two tiers in one university to acccomodate the needs, utilize the options that give her an elite college experience at a state school cost.</p>