Class of 2020 National Merit Discussion

@dpBU23 We are fortunate to be in a state where the score has been around 218 to 219 for NMSF so lucky to not have to worry too much about that but definitely agree that retaking the SAT or ACT is a good idea.

@janiemiranda then congrats to your D. Just make sure to complete the NMF application and be certain to send the confirming score to NM. It is sad every year how many capable students miss out on NMF because of paperwork issues!

@dpBU23 We will sure try to stay on top of it.

One more question - are the essay scores a consideration at all with the confirming score? Thanks everyone for your help!

My son had a fantastic NMS visit to UF several weeks ago. He also went to FSU but UF was really impressive.

@janiemiranda I believe you mean the writing portion of the SAT. if so, they are not considered by NM. There is an essay you submit to NM as part of the finalist application. insiders hint: the student can reuse their own work for this… my S was able to use his common app essay with almost no modifications. I asked NM folks about this and they actually encouraged it!

@dpBU23 Thank you very much. Very helpful!

@drxxpresso Strangely enough I have another daughter going to Tech (Wreck em). She really likes it. it is a bit dreary compared to UCF but they have a great university and their financial aid package is very competitive.

@Torrchase what did your son like most about UF? DD visited UF and FSU recently and found FSU to be more welcoming and more impressive overall just based on the visit.

He knew someone on the UF cross country team and able to meet many of the runners. He also liked the athletic dorms and campus better at UF. He had official visit to UF whereas he toured FSU just with his mother .

@Torrchase, you mentioned your son had a NMS visit. Was this the standard tour or were you able to arrange a more personal visit based on expected NM status?

Lots of talk about Florida - our home state - so I’m curious who is actually OOS. UF is the “obvious” choice for the IB students at my daughter’s school, but UCF really impressed us both as well. As a somewhat introverted, undecided student, I’m not sure she’ll be aggressive enough at UF to grab the opportunities. With a bit of support, though, I have no doubt she’ll find her way.

Of course, my daughter wants an OOS school if possible…sigh…so we’re looking at all options, but they need to be close to full-ride (or have a policy of meeting 100% of need without loans.) I keep reminding both of us to be so grateful that the state of Florida is offering such an amazing deal to NMF.

Alabama, FSU, and UTD are also on the list, but she would really like to find a school in mid-Atlantic area (NC, SC, VA, MD). I’m from Virginia originally - no deals there for OOS that I can find. Any suggestions? I’m trying to convince her that Tallahassee is practically OOS - since her main complaint is the hot weather. (Of course, she has NEVER experienced cold weather before.)

Looking forward to sharing our journey as our kids find the right school for them.

@TrendaLeigh My daughter attends UCF and has fallen in love with it. You’re right, a lot of great opportunities across Florida. My daughter has friends who attend UTD and they love it as well, its package is every bit as generous as the Benaquisto. Texas Tech and UNT also have very generous packages. Good luck on your journey !

Hi all, Happy to find this thread. Just starting this journey with only son, 2020. Things sure have changed in 30 years! Very interested to hear about honors college visits and experiences. Wondering if OU, FSU, USC might be options for us. Please keep the info coming!

@TrendaLeigh , Have you checked on University of South Carolina , Furman, UNCW or Appalachian State? Not sure how generous they are but they are good schools. He was offered a good needs based package from UNC.

@TrendaLeigh I can confirm good OOS scholarships based on stats at UofSC plus an additional amount for NM based upon our visit last fall. Check out their honors college as well.

@Torrchase and @Cheeringsection, thanks for the suggestions. We’ve read quite a bit about USC and their honor’s college; glad to hear OOS aid is a possibility. The Top Scholars program sounds amazing, but I’m sure it’s very competitive. I had never even heard of Appalachian State - pretty campus with an impressive Chancellor’s scholarship. Not sure if it provides the academic rigor for selective grad schools, but we’ll check it out.

@rileygrl, we are very interested in honor’s colleges as well. Looking forward to sharing information!

Have several friends with kids at App State. They all love it there. Elon , UNCC , Queens , and High Point are other fine schools in North Carolina. Many in state students that are not accepted at UNC choose UNCW or App State .
I would also look at College of Charleston and East Carolina.

Anyone know how the NMF merit scholarship works at BU?

BU = Baylor, Boston, or other?

Sorry about that! BU = Boston University @dpBU23