<p>Miami was previously one of my top choices, but now I am beggining to reconsider.</p>
<p>I graduate in 2008 and will most likely be a national merit finalist (based on PSAT scores), and i was reviewing this school's policy on merit awards.</p>
<p>according to their website, Miami will award me only $750 for this achievement.</p>
<p>However, I happened to be a national achievement (african-american) or national hispanic finalist, i would receieve a $10,000 scholarship. As a causcasian, i am not afforded to opportunity to participate in these programs.</p>
<p>Furthermore, I recall hearing that is easier to be a national achievement or national hispanic finalist than a general national merit finalist. Some people may qualify as a national achievement finalist and yet not even be a national merit finalist.</p>
<p>For lack of a better explanation (aside from this "diversity" hypocrisy), i see no logical reasoning behind this policy. Its fundamentally racist and sheds a bad light on this institution.</p>
<p>have you ever been to miami? its about ~86% caucasian.</p>
<p>so i think its logical that they would try to be especially proactive about drawing in diverse students. and since obviously you don't care about diversity ("diversity hypocrisy" what does that even mean?) look at in the eyes of the university, the more diverse student population they have, the more applicants and students they attract. which = more $$$$$</p>
<p>Okay, but it seems as if the institution cares more about attracting minorities then it does about attracting academic talent. </p>
<p>IMHO, affirmative action is entirely wrong anyway, but this especially seems like a very extreme example.</p>
<p>If Miami (or any institution for that matter) offered more money to lesser-qualified caucasian students than it awarded to higher-qualified hispanics or african-americans, i assure you that the NAACP would have a field day. But here, this racial discrimination goes ignored for the sake of "diversity."</p>
<p>If Miami doesn't seriously focus on attracting top talent, programs such as this could mark the beggining of Miami's decline.</p>
<p>Ohio State (a higher ranked institution) offers considerably more merit based aid (including full scholarship for National Merit Finalists), but at Miami it seems as if only minorities stand much chance of such an award.</p>
<p>Here we go again... Miami attracts non-minorities with academic talent-- 2/3 of the Harrisons (full ride) are Caucasian, so let's not play the "minorities are the only ones with scholarships" card.</p>
<p>my entire point is that they should award national merit finalists the same assistance as national achievement or national hispanic finalists, considering that being a national merit finalists is a higher (and more difficult to achieve)honor.</p>
<p>I would have no issue with all 3 honors being $10,000 (or even $750). I could even tolerate a smaller difference (such as $5,000 for NMS compared to $7500 for NA or NH). </p>
<p>But it is incredibly unfair to offer only $750 to one kid and $10,000 to another based on nothing more than skin color. I hope that everyone here can agree with that.</p>
<p>Does anyone on here know if the NMS offered through MU is renewable? The MU Ohio website didn't say, but it said NA and NH were. I'm a bit confused...</p>
<p>The National Merit Scholarship ranges between $750 and $2000 and according the Financial Aid Office, it can come from two different sources. National Merit lets the student know if the money is coming from the school, or a corporate sponsor. If it's from the school, it is renewable with a GPA requirement.</p>
<p>Does anyone know the number of National Achievement,National Hispanic Scholars and National Merit Finalists? I believe that National Merit Finalists number between 15,000 and 16,000 students each year,but I have no idea re: Nat'l Achievement and National Hispanic Scholars. Regardless Miami needs more diversity which will,in turn,benefit all students.</p>