Back in the day… I was selected for a very small honors program (20 students/year) at a very large state university (>20K)-- coming from a family with no college background, I didn’t understand the significance at all- I didn’t choose it, it chose me (I would have been at the same school anyway). But that program provided me with mentors; opened doors to pathways I never knew existed. As a result, I went on to earn advanced degrees; engaged in years of research and mentored and taught more generations of college students.
My D16 could have gone just about anywhere (yes, she was accepted to and could have afforded some top 20 schools)-- she chose an honors program at an OOS public. Why- the major that she loves; really cool faculty and the opportunity to work closely with them; a great peer group of students from all around the country with a variety of interests… and maybe a winning football team.