<p>With the exception of a very few relatively independent honors colleges - PSU Schreyer and ASU Barrett come to mind - I wouldn’t choose an honors college over an elite private. What I will do is choose an excellent public research university which happens to offer certain additional opportunities through an honors program.</p>
<p>My point? In most cases, I think collegehelp’s argument holds some water. The honors college experience is probably not quite as distinct from the overall university as marketing materials may imply. However, I reach a different conclusion based on this assumption because I believe that many of America’s large public research universities offer outstanding opportunities easily worthy of a top student. The availability of honors courses/seminars, early enrollment, and other perks simply serves as an enhancement of this already quality experience.</p>