Does being a National Merit Finalist really help at top schools like ivies?

Applying to College
1

<p>At schools like the ivies which do not give merit aid you would think that being a finalist would not really help. The PSAT is only a precursor to the SAT and one would think that the significance of a student's performance on the PSAT would be overshadowed by his/her performance on the SAT.</p>

2

<p>no, it doesn't really matter, but if you do have it, it's always good resume fodder</p>

3

<p>If you look at other top schools that aren't ivies, National Merit will really help you. I got $5,000 a year in merit aid for it at my school, which isn't too shabby.</p>

4

<p>is it a black mark on your record NOT to be NMS semi or finalist?</p>

5

<p>no it is not a black mark</p>

6

<p>It's nice to be able to put National Merit Finalist under yours awards/honors section.</p>

<p>Not having it won't hurt though--I did terribly on the PSAT, but I'm going to Princeton next year.</p>