<p>I am actually the person who started the "I Just Got a Letter" thread (this is a new account). I just received a second envelope from Clemson, which contained an application fee waiver. Also included was a letter, stating:</p>
<p>"We feel that your academic credentials may well warrant merit scholarship consideration. Provided you submit your completed admissions application by December 1, 2009, we will waive your addmissions application fee and give your application priority scholarship consideration. These merit scholarships awards are based on official documentation presented in the application, and the merit scholarships will be offered on a competitive review basis. Past merit scholarship awards have ranged from $500 up to the full cost of attendance (approximately $33,750 last year)."</p>
<p>I just wanted to see how many others got this, and if anyone has received it in previous years. Does this mean I am basically going to get some type of scholarship, but the amount can vary depending on my standing among the other applicants? Or, does it mean that I am competing with the other applicants to actually get a scholarship at all? I guess what I'm asking is: how many people receive this "priority consideration" compared to the number of scholarships that Clemson will give out?</p>
<p>My daughter also received this letter. On the instruction page, the one with the “official” waiver did your instructions for the online application direct you to select Prospective Scholar Program? My daughter’s did and I am wondering if this means they are looking at her for the National Scholar’s program.</p>
<p>My DS got both letters. He is pretty much finish with his application. I got a question. On one page it asked if he is a NMSF? How does he answer this when the announcement from National Merit will not come out until I believe next month or October. He did score above the state cutoff which generally means an automatic for semi-finalist.</p>
<p>My understanding is that the list of semifinalists will be out early to mid September. My daughter is also waiting for this before she completes her application. Technically, we are 100% confident she will be a semifinalist because she has a 224 PSAT score in Florida where the range has been between 211-213 for the last few years, but she doesn’t want to actually submit the application until she has been officially notified. And yes, it is automatic to become a semi-finalist if your score is at or above that year’s cutoff score for your state. Have your DS spend the extra time knocking out a killer essay. Good luck.</p>