College choice for NMSF

Paying for College National Merit Aid
1

<p>I just found out that I'm a National Merit Semifinalist and started filling out my application. I saw that you are required to select a "college choice" in order to receive a NM scholarship from the college. My questions are:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Do you have to choose a college right away? Or can I wait until I decide which college I end up going to?</p></li>
<li><p>If I choose one now, can I change it later?</p></li>
<li><p>Do you have to put your actual first-choice college, if the college isn't on the list of schools that offer NM scholarships? Or can I choose a college that isn't a top choice but that offers scholarships?</p></li>
<li><p>At what point does a school find out if you've designated it your first choice? When you apply for NMF, when you apply to the school or when you decide to attend the school? Do colleges care if you choose them right away?</p></li>
<li><p>If I was able to choose any school from the scholarship list AND I couldn't change it later, should I choose</p></li>
</ol>

<p>--University of Chicago (high match/low reach)
--Claremont McKenna College (match)
--George Washington (low match/safety)
--American University (safety)
--Florida State University (in state, admissions/financial safety, as in if I got in my family could probably pay tuition out of pocket although it would be tough)</p>

<p>Thank you!!!!! I'm sure these are dumb questions but I know nothing about this process</p>

2

<p>You can change it. Check the numerous other threads and/or call National Merit Corp.</p>

3

<p>The best thing to do is to put down “Undecided” for now and change it, as late as April, when you know more. This will be fine for most schools. However when your list is “firmed up” you should research whether or not your schools require an earlier declaration (say by January or February) in order to qualify for merit aid. A few do.</p>

<p>Can you change your mind? I am almost certain you can, but the best thing you can do is call the NMSC with your questions to get authoritative answers to 2 and 4. I expect 5 will prove moot. 3, too, as you will probably not be indicating a final choice until much later.</p>

<p>This page might be helpful: [Carleton</a> College: Admissions: Tips for National Merit Scholars](<a href=“http://apps.carleton.edu/admissions/afford/national_merit_tips/]Carleton”>http://apps.carleton.edu/admissions/afford/national_merit_tips/)</p>

4

<p>mmmgirl, I see you are in state, what was your PSAT score, and do you have any idea of the cutoff for Florida?</p>

5

<p>My score was 222. I have no idea about the cutoff…</p>

6

<p>You can change your mind. They send out a notice in the Spring reminding you.</p>