My S is almost close to accepting UF as a OOS. He did not apply for honors. But as he is researching the college website and after his admitted student tour, he realized that he wouldn’t be getting various benefits that a honor student would get - like early window to select courses, dedicated advisory and of course the first year honors dorm. He is confused as he is comparing with the admittance to honors he got in his in-state school in terms of academic benefits. I am not sure how much of a drawback this would be. Appreciate insights from this group. Thanks!
What is the in-state school and what are his other acceptances? What are the cost differences?
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in state school is UConn and this is also the best fit financially. other acceptance he is considering was CaseWestern. But after carefully considering everything, we agreed to narrow down to UF but for this one honors factor
Honors programs vary from college to college. It makes sense to take the time to see if the in-state school honors program confers meaningful benefits.
IMO UConn with honors and a better price point is worth very serious consideration (especially with med school as a possibility).
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Medical school will cost about $100,000 a year if your son gets that far. There is precious little financial aid for this beyond the bank of mom and dad, and loans. The status of federally funded loans is in flux.
I’m from CT, and UConn is a well regarded college.
Why FL?
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Keep in mind that there are big changes that might be happening to the federal student loan program, and that includes lowering the cap for grad school and medical school. I don’t know if you were planning to use federal loans.
I also question why UF over UConn?
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Do Honors because what it offers excites you. All programs are different. Study UCONN’s benefits and see if they excite your son.
UF, for OOS is reasonable $$ wise. Honors is tough to get there - so it’s unlikely you’d have gotten anyway.
Two people could each choose each one - and both would be great choices. Even as non honors for both, they are like schools reputationally. Great flagships. Don’t give US News so much cred. It’s not reality.
Good luck.
Dont have a perfect answer for this question but for the fact that the kid likes the campus and the independence he is going to get. It makes him truly happy
If they are both affordable I would allow him to choose, but I would also do some research into the honors program at UConn
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is it too late to apply for honors at UF?
The real perk to UF honors is early class registration which is nice but not a deal breaker of course. My son was in honors but I don’t think he ever saw an advisor (just didn’t really need one).
You can apply to live in the New Honors village even if not in honors. Or if you get a roommate who is in honors you can live there also. But there are lots of decent dorms.
Sounds like UConn would be a good fit. For me, paying the $$$$$$$$ to go OOS would be undesirable. I want to remodel my bathroom. 
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I don’t know OPs calculations but quick google search including room and board show OOS UF and UConn instate are almost the same. So you get a new sink but skip the jacuzzi…
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Has he applied for housing at UF?
Tell your son to check out Lake Wauburg–free for UF students. Spent many a good day there!