<p>In my Junior year, I got a 198 on my PSAT and was selected as a National Achievement Semi-Finalist. Later, I received a superscore of 2080 on my SAT (2040 highest in one sitting). What are my chances for becoming a Finalist? Also, what is the prize rewarded to finalists? I'm not really sure of the criteria used...</p>
<p>My GPA is 3.88/5.96 UW/W and I'd say my essay was well written and thoroughly edited. </p>
<p>I'm also the first in my family to go to college here in the US, (I'm originally from Nigeria) so I'm not too familiar with the process.</p>
<p>Your chances are high for becoming a finalist. Did you submit everything you’re supposed to? Did you send your SAT scores to NMCorp… #0085</p>
<p>As for as an award, most finalists dont’ get an award.<br>
However, if you WANT an award, then you should apply to the SCHOOLS that will give you one for being NA.</p>
<p>For instance, if you apply to Alabama, you’d get:</p>
<p>free tuition for 5 years (can use the extra year for grad school or summer abroad)
free housing for 1 year
$3500 stipend per year
$2000 study abroad
ipad…whatever the latest one is.</p>
<p>700 Finalists get $2500 scholarships from NMSC that can be used at any school. Another 100 get corporate funded scholarships, amount varies.</p>
<p>You really should choose and apply to one of the schools that award large scholarships to NAF, as a financial safety. It’s not too late for most. Many have extended deadlines for NMF/NAF and often fairly simple applications. Some waive the app fee if you ask, though still have to pay to send transcripts/test scores.</p>
<p>If you post over on AA forum asking about NAF, you may get better advice about how to use this to your advantage.</p>
<p>I am a semifinalist too and my parents made me apply to a few schools that gave money to semifinalist and to a couple that will give substantial money if I make finalist. Aside from that, they then let me apply wherever I wanted.
I was not happy about this at first as none of the schools were on my list of places I was interested in. But now that acceptances, and money, are coming in I am glad they were strict about this. I may or may not end up going to one of them, but it is good to have the offers this early. It is so competitive now to get scholarships for merit that my dad was clear that I should (well, must) use the NASF to lock something in. If I end up getting into one of my first choices (that don’t offer anything to NAF) I can still go if aid works out, but if not at least I have some things in place.
Look at the start of this board as most of the places that give money to national merit kids also give it to national achievement kids. Start soon though. For places like Alabama I think you have to apply early and for places like Howard (full ride if you make finalist) there is good money for general merit even if you do not make finalist but they only offer it until their pool of money runs out.
Also, check with your school counselor because they might know some schools. Arizona, Univ. of Kentucky and some others give a lot of money.
HSG</p>
<p>^ Yes, recently the University of Arizona offered me a very generous scholarship and an automatic acceptance into their honors college. I have yet to find other schools like this. </p>
<p>Sorry, but what does AA stand for? I’ll see if I can look into it.</p>
<p>AA stands for African American. There are a few people on those threads that are very active, and seem super nice as well. What state are you from? Some schools will also waive the application fee for high achieving students, FYI.</p>