<p>I'm just in the beginning of this whole college search. D is a HS freshman. She has a good chance at NMF as she tests well, gets good grades, etc. Money is a factor, but not the only one. I want to learn more. Some of the full ride schools seem to be a match on paper. But I'd like to know the experience of kids who took the guaranteed full rides.</p>
<p>Did anyone here take the full ride National Merit at the lower ranked schools instead of the prestigious name? How do you like it? Have your classes been engaging, challenging, rewarding? Are there special programs for Finalists? Did you go only because of the money? If no, what other factors played into your decision? How are the professors? The students? What are the drawbacks, besides the name?</p>
<p>I had the choice between a top 10 school that was going to cost me 20k a year in tuition and a #50 school that gave me 7500 a year on top of tuition/books for being an NMF. I took the latter. While the caliber of student was lower, I found a plenty nurturing environment for future work. I graduated summa cum laude and am now in one of the best labs in the world for my area on a prestigious fellowship based on my work at what many on these boards call a second-tier university.</p>
<p>The only drawback I could see is if your daughter turns out to be one of those people that enjoys networking / rubbing elbows with the most successful students possible (which is legitimate in some peoples' cases).</p>
<p>I had NMF friends that did take the former option and went off to Harvard and the like, but I wouldn't want to draw comparisons because none of them pursued the same work I did.</p>
<p>I turned down $24,000 a year at Tulane for Bowdoin College...where I'm not getting much aid at all.
Im happy with my decision though because I feel like I wouldn't have been nearly as happy at Tulane than Bowdoin. So for me it was more of what I felt was going to be a better fit for me than the money. I hope I don't die trying to pay it all off!</p>
<p>My daughter is another NMF who chose not to apply anywhere with a significant NM scholarship (she is getting one, but it is $2000 per year). She's happy with her decision; it's the right school for her.</p>
<p>You may want to search for Curmudgeon's postings. His daughter (not NMF, though) received a full-ride to Rhodes College, turning down an acceptance to Yale, among others. From what he has posted, she has absolutely no regrets and has been able to take advantage of many opportunities provided by Rhodes.</p>
<p>I think most NMS families are shocked to learn how far you have to go down the food chain before any serious money kicks in. At least we and our friends were. The schools that guarantee tuition for NMS kids tend to be schools that have very, very few kids with their abilities. This will be your child's peer group for 4 years. IMO, in this case, you get what you pay for.</p>
<p>I'm not NMF but turned down full tuition to go to a top school.</p>
<p>The only people who may be happier with my choice than I am are my parents. I'm quite sure I would have been successful elsewhere, but I'm also quite sure that what I'm doing now would not have been possible without the unique environment I ended up in, nor would I be the same person.</p>
<p>I'm not objecting to your posting your opinion. Re-read my post and that should be clear.</p>
<p>What I'm objecting to is your use of "down the food chain" to refer to schools that aren't high in the rankings. I think there are more civil, respectful ways to share information and opinions, and I wish posters would work to find them.</p>
<p>I've already had the discussion and made peace with Harriet, but I'll repeat it here. In my business, down the food chain is an oft used expression that it in no way inflammatory or derogatory. It is synonymous with lower ranked. Apologies to all who see that expression in another way.</p>
<p>Stay on topic,... stay on topic .... Use the force, Luke.</p>
<p>Lest this thread move in the direction of "The Best things about Dartmouth are...."</p>
<p>Mom of NMF D here. </p>
<p>While NU gave only the $2000 NMF money (and Dart gave nothing for it, which is where she is) we don't feel that she chose prestige over $$. She chose for other reasons and is very happy so far.</p>
<p>We were surprised at how much $$ many very high quality schools offered for the NMF, including many that had honors programs. It is clear that not every school participates in NMF directly and THAT should not be a surprise to those that do a bit of research. Besides the schools, some corporations award merit scholarships just hearing about the NMF. So I believe one should consider the whole package... $$, merit, etc that NMF standing has to offer. </p>
<p>And I also believe schools can be a fit where ever they stand in the USNEWS ranks.</p>
<p>I would disagree with going "down the food chain" for National Merit Money is a bad thing. There are plenty of underrated schools (University of Tulsa) that don't get a good rap because they aren't high on the shiny US News rankings. If your daughter loves a school that gives full rides to National Merit Finalists more than any other school, or even the same as another school, I don't see any reason not to go.</p>
<p>D1 had a full ride to the state U, wouldn't go; felt she needed a different type of atmosphere- more intimate, with a higher concentration of classmates that she had more in common with. For social reasons, if nothing else. And all the other reasons someone picks an LAC over a large U.</p>
<p>We had to agree, much as we could use the $$$; knowing her, the U, and who from her high school was going there, it was a recipe for her to be miserable socially, and disatisfied academically.</p>
<p>The state U was much less expensive than the LAC anyway, even without the free ride. Turning the state U down for a private LAC is a decision all LAC students make, at least in principle. Yet there are students who turn the less costly path down, for various reasons. The free ride aspect really doesn't change this decision process, it's just incremental.</p>
<p>Thank you for your answers. CC has opened my eyes to how much is involved with choosing a college. It is a daunting task. I appreciate all the knowledge that is accumulated here. That knowledge will definitely make the process easier and more successful in finding the right school at the right price.</p>