***2018 National Merit Finalist Thread****

@netopspin My son did the Explore USC overnight and was really impressed. Pppllluussshhh. He said the double with 2 rooms, 4 people (not lofted) was very spacious. Secure too; biometric security (fingerprint scan) to get in after hours. I didn’t see the dorm room but was able to walk around the village and shop at Trader Joe’s and Target. We were there about 9pm and there were still many students around. It felt safe to me. My son said the “yellowjackets” contracted security officers were visible all over the campus. Also, McCarthy does have air con, info on the brochure wasn’t correct on that. I’m not from LA but have visited in August. One word: HOT. I’ll let the LA residents chime in, but that was my experience. The only drawback is that the village is not too close to the engineering building (for my son) but of course it depends on your child’s major. I thought I read the village is better for SCA majors. Congrats again!

I know a lot of people are looking at UCF, but are any NMF’s looking at USF’s National Merit scholarship program?

As for LA weather, it’s hot from July though the end of October, but the average is in the low/mid 80’s, and humidity is not too high. AC is once, but if you can open a window you’ll be fine.

I love the LA weather. And all the food choices , tacos, Indian, ribs.

Completely blanked on checking the portal earlier this week and dd’s out of touch for the day. Notice that delivery confirmation has something for her in the mail today – does National Merit they mail you if you don’t get anything, or is she likely to have received an award?

@Rollomama - We have a letter coming as well per informed delivery. I am assuming it’s notification of the $2500 scholarship. I will post again if it’s something different.

My son received the letter on Saturday. We are in Wisconsin. FWIW

@green26knight - Did you hear back from TAMU yet regarding the $2500 scholarship? Thanks!

Not yet @chercheur. I’ll definitely post it right away.

@CContemplative1
My son is looking at UCF NMF program

Got the mailing that DD was awarded a $2500 scholarship directly from National Merit – now just need a college!

Anyone else waiting on decisions day tomorrow?

Nope, but still trying to extract OOS Benacquisto/NMF funding details from FSU and Miami. UF seems to be ahead of them in this regard, if only by acknowledging the bill was signed into law and that they are working on it.

@FSUdad93 - D is waiting on Cornell tomorrow and Duke on Thurs! Then March Madness turns into April Madness and we run a gauntlet of accepted students days. (She applied some places she didn’t visit yet!) But it’s all good. She’s got some great options but hasn’t even figured out if she wants a small LAC, mid-sized or big school! Fort., the $ is coming in better than we expected though certainly some differences that will play into it. Big decisions to be made, and it’s been quite the journey. Just a tad different from when I applied to two colleges, both in my home state!!

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I called Miami and got nothing substantive. We may run out of time to consider Miami, which is too bad.

Waiting on H,P,D tomorrow and Columbia/Sci Po and Stanford on Friday. Those that give out acceptances earlier definitely have an advantage in terms of having time to show love and reel kids in before the last notifications go out. I guess Ivies don’t mind losing folks due to releasing at the tail end of the admissions cycle but it seems such a waste. Good luck, everyone. Its almost over!

Waiting on H, P and D as in Duke tomorrow but not worried as I am happy with the results that are in! The “coin flips” just muddy the water as far as I am concerned. Good luck to all!!! (but hope to see some of you in Florida in the Fall)

@chercheur We received a response from the Texas A&M National Scholars department that doesn’t make sense in light of the NMSC award language.

Here is the question my son sent:

I have another NMF question. I was fortunate enough to get one of the $2,500 awards from the National Merit folks. Before accepting, do you know how that might impact the NMF package from Texas A&M?

Here is the response:

Congratulations on the $2,500 award! Any additional scholarships that you are awarded will be added or “stacked” onto the scholarship package offered by Texas A&M.

On the one hand, I love that answer. On the other hand, I’m not sure that it’s correct. I might have to call for clarification. Which would you call, TAMU or NMSC?

@green26knight - That’s an interesting response! That would be great if it’s true! I will send an email right now - let’s see if I get the same response!