Honors has the same mix of traditional and non-traditional students that USM as a whole has. Some are brand-new freshmen, others have been out working for years. Some are parents with children at home, some only attend school part-time. This mix of people with different backgrounds and different majors makes a very lively community at the Honors House. The Honors Student Association sponsors a variety of different programs throughout the year.
Grades reflect effort and interest.
Honors students work hard because they get involved with the material, and grading reflects this. Grades in Honors are generally at least as high as in regular courses. Also, your transcript will show that you have graduated with honors, and that's important to a lot of evaluators. Some of the best scholarships at USM are specifically targeted for students in the Honors Program. You get small classes, top-notch instructors, extra advising, and all the benefits that you normally associate with expensive private schools, but at state school tuition rates.