I wouldn’t take the honors college rejection from Kentucky personally. Last year, if I recall correctly, there were about 1200 applicants for 400 spots. I think there were 114 National Merit Finalists in the Class of 2018, although I don’t know what percentage got into the honors program. I do know several NMFs who did not make it in, and many of my daughter’s friends in honors are not NMF or Singletary Scholars. Your experience at UK will not be diminished if you are not in the honors program. There is an older post on CC entitled [Honors College Nonsense](Honors College Nonsense - University of Kentucky - College Confidential Forums) that details an account of twins from Kentucky that one was accepted to honors, and one was not. Worth a read for an alternate opinion. Good luck with your decision.