<p>I don’t personally think the honors program is particularly worthwhile. Some classes have Honors sections, but students outside of the honors programs can still register for these classes, but are excused from some assignments. The Honors housing is actually pretty good, and when paired with scholarship money, comprise the only real perks of the program. It may help with a graduate school application, but it has no bearing at all on whether or not a student graduates Summa Cum Laude or even with distinction in a major. Ever_after, I would not worry, though, about the Honors Program, though I do not doubt you will be accepted. BU has excellent research opportunities for undergraduates, and has very challenging classes. I know of people in the Honors Program formally, who do not even bother to enroll in such programs, as they are busy enough with a regular courseload. </p>
<p>As for Merit Scholarships, they are very competitive, especially in the College of Arts and Sciences. You can apply after your first semester, but only a handful are given out. I was fortunate enough to get one, but it was only for about $2000. </p>
<p>Anyway, I am not offended at all by the use of “safety” school. It’s a colloquial term, and I see no reason why it cannot be used. Yes, the original post came of as haughty, but get real. She is eminently qualified, and as long as BU undergraduate program continues to have admissions standards that are disproportionately lower than the rigor of its academic program, it will continue to be a safety school for valedictorians with pristine standardized test scores.</p>