<p>Thanks, mountainhiker. I had been trying to search, but couldn’t find all the info I needed to put it together. I should just call NMC and the schools today and make sure I understand it fully for our particular set of schools.</p>
<p>Yes, definitely talk to the schools. A student applying only to auditioned programs cannot possibly designate a “top choice” school. </p>
<p>hi. congrats to our NM finalists! i believe you can wait until May 1st(or better stated April 30) to name your first choice school. Sounds like mountainhiker is the most up on this process though and there are discussions of this on the national merit scholarship links on CC. if i remember right, if your kid is not sure on which NM school they might pick, it’s wisest to remain undecided. </p>
<p><a href=“National Merit Scholarships - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/</a></p>
<p>link to nm page on cc </p>