My son just was notified he’s a National Merit Semifinalist. He has 35 ACT composite and has qualified for National Merit Finalist on SAT, though may get knocked out for 2 c’s.
Curious - I have list of schools that give NMSF and NMF scholarships, but what are best schools that love high ACT scores?
Son is going to study computer science…so far he likes USC and hoping for National Merit Scholarship for half tuition. Also liked UC Irvine and U of Illinois.
Anyone have suggestions on great computer schools that give significant Merit aid?
It probably depends on what you’re looking for. Alabama, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Central Florida are schools that actively pursue NMFs. If he doesn’t get past NMSF status, I think the opportunities might diminish a little. My son chose Michigan State primarily for family reasons, but I think MSU’s status as an AAU school might put it a little higher on the rating food chain than some of the schools that I mentioned.
I think NMF status and admission to MSU’s honors college would get you: room and board, in-state tuition, $7,000, and a part-time job assisting a professor that’s worth maybe another $2500. A National Merit Scholarship would be worth another $2,000 and there is probably additional money available from the individual colleges. FWIW, my son’s total scholarship package exceeded his COA and allowed him to buy a laptop, books and bank/spend the money from his professorial assistantship. We are OOS.
what are his SAT scores?
He does have to take the SAT in order to become a NMF. otherwise he wont qualify for the 1/2 tuition scholarship at USC, IF he is accepted.
the high ACT score wont cut it for NMF merit $ there.
With 2Cs, he is vulnerable but not definitely out yet. Just keep working hard. How is his current uwGPA otherwise? Many schools offer merit scholarships to high scorers. It is nice to get NMF status but it is not really essential. My D was NMF but did not benefit from it at the school she is attending with other scholarships. So you should probably look up the school list with automatic scholarship by scores/GPA.
With the 2 C’s, much depends on the transcript. If those C’s were quarter grades, but become 1 C as a semester grade (and quarter grades don’t usually show on transcripts), then he could be fine. And, if those C’s were quarter grades, but became B’s as semester grades, then he could be fine, as well.
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so far he likes USC and hoping for National Merit Scholarship for half tuition. Also liked UC Irvine and U of Illinois.
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UCI may give some merit. Don’t know if he’ll qualify for Regents if instate. Is he instate? If not, then little/no merit.
UIUC is stingy with merit. Are you instate or OOS?
If he makes NMF, and gets accepted to USC, then he’d get the 1/2 tuition. BUT, that only gets applied to NEED. You won’t get FA, and then get that 1/2 tuition award. So, for many, it turns out to be no additional money…unless you have a very high EFC.
You or your spouse might have an employer sponsored scholarship to consider. A lower GPA is going to make merit aid problematic but here are some generous schools: Vanderbilt, Indiana, USC, George Washington, Case Western, Oberlin and DePauw
Is this a highly competitive school (based on the grades vs. scores)? Ask if the school has Naviance to see what admission chances look like. Some schools will use the WGPA for scholarships but you’ll have to ask.
Any chance an admin could correct the spelling in the thread title? I imagine 13 year old boys of all ages are giggling themselves faint over the typo.
generous schools: Vanderbilt, Indiana, USC, George Washington, Case Western, Oberlin and DePauw
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This does not fit exactly with what I’m hearing.
A co-worker’s daughter, for example, found it cheaper to go to Evansville (private) than Indiana at in-state rates.
Another co-worker’s daughter is paying less to attend the University of Chicago (yes, that Chicago) than she would have to attend Indiana (also at in-state IU rates).
We’ll know in about 5-6 months, but I have a feeling that even though the raw dollar amount from Case might be impressive, we’ll still be looking at 25K+ cost of attendance. Cannot speak to the others, but …
I don’t think I understand the word “generous” in that context.
[edit: I understand Indiana also has really emphasized GPA in the last couple of years. The two people I mentioned, however, were pretty close to 4.0 and (reportedly) got very little in the way of merit from IU]
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generous schools: Vanderbilt, Indiana, USC, George Washington, Case Western, Oberlin and DePauw
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Vandy generous? with FA, yes. with merit, not especially unless hooked in some way (they use merit to poach desirable students from ivies). An ACT 35 isn’t noteworthy to Vandy, and with the GPA, probably not going to be admitted. USC is hit or miss with merit if not NMF. Likely wont be admitted with the GPA issue unless the GC note saves the day. Indiana has reduced its merit a lot these days and requires a higher GPA to qualify.
I am a HS senior. I just qualified for NMSF. I scored a 34 on the ACT. I have a 4.0 UW GPA. I will have completed 11 AP classes upon graduation. I have decent ECs.
I am planning on applying at Baylor where I should get free tuition as long as I make finalist. I have been accepted at Mizzou where I will get free in-state tuition based on my grades and ACT score.
I am trying to figure out which highly competitive schools might offer me merit aid.
I am definitely applying to the University of Chicago. I was also thinking of applying at Vandy and Wash U. I am going to need significant merit aid to attend these types of schools… Do I have a chance or is there merit aid extremely limited?
Merit aid at U of C and Wash U is very hard to get and extremely limited. Vandy offers a bit more more merit $$.
At Wash U you would probably have to apply ED to even have a chance at acceptance, let alone receive a merit scholarship there.
Not to be negative Nelly, but be careful thinking the 35 ACT is going to get you that far merit wise, particularly with that GPA, at least any elite or high end privates. Kids are really training for the test and 34-35 are becoming more common particularly in the merit race. There will be other students with that score and a 4.0+. It only takes one “less thing” to knock you out of the running. Just need to be prepared for this. OTOH, there are some “tier 2” privates where that score will make a difference, the problem is the science programs at those schools are typically not the level of those top schools, but something has to give sometimes. I wouldn’t count on USC at all, first, they turn away thousands of NMF, and there are plenty with NMF and the gpa applying. It is not uncommon for an NMF with a 4.0+gpa, many APs and ECs, to be rejected from USC, that may be accepted at other more elite universities.
I am sure there are schools that would offer good scholarship to OP’s kid. Just need to aim lower due to the GPA issue. ACT 35 is around the threshold for top scholarships at many good schools.