<p>I'm a rising senior and I'm having trouble finding a good "financial safety." I have a pretty good income, so I'm looking for schools that would offer me significant merit aid. I know that my state school is what's usually used as a financial safety, but I reallly don't like huge schools and I don't want to have to end up going to a school I don't like if I'm not accepted/can't afford my other choices. I have pretty good stats (3.9 GPA, 35 ACT, 760+ on 3 subject tests, 223 PSAT, good EC's with leadership positions), so I know I can get merit aid somewhere, I just am having trouble finding somewhere that I like. There are a few schools I like that I've seen with some sort of merit aid (ex. Bard's Distinguished Science Scholars Scholarship), but I don't know how competitive they are, so I'm not sure if I can count them as "safe." Oh, and I'm probably pre-med (unless I decide to go into research), so I'd like a school strong in the sciences and with good research opportunities. And I'd like to stay close to home (PA) so no schools outside New England/Mid-Atlantic region (yes, I'm a bit picky...). Thank you for your help! :)</p>
<p>Do you know about Schreyer Honors College at Penn State? It’s a small school within a large one. Also, you should be a National Merit Finalist, so search these boards for threads about NMF scholarships. One that you may want to look into is Northeastern U., which gives full tuition scholarships to NMFs.</p>
<p>I second Denison. You do have to apply for the Paschal Carter Scholarship to get the full tuition ride, so it’s not a guarantee for all NMF. Its’ worth $37,000 per year! S was offered it. The other LAC that offered him excellent merit aid was Ohio Wesleyan (very high stats for Med School acceptances btw). You may also want to look at U. of Richmond which also offers NMF full tuition. Good luck!</p>
<p>I just reread your stats and am wondering about something. I believe you will have to take the SAT if you want to apply for NMF standing. Your PSAT scores should qualify you for National Merit Semi-finalist, but without an SAT score I don’t think you can complete the application process. An SAT score needs to be submitted with your application in Oct. Did you take the SAT or only the ACT?</p>
<p>REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A FINALIST
As a Semifinalist named in the fall of 2011, you must advance to Finalist standing before you can be considered
for a Merit Scholarship® award to be offered in 2012. You must meet all specified requirements and
deadlines, or you will be withdrawn from the competition. To qualify as a Finalist, you must:
Continue to meet all program entry requirements (published in the 2010 Official Student Guide to the
PSAT/NMSQT®).
Be enrolled in the last year of high school and be planning to enroll full time in college in the fall of 2012
or be enrolled in the first year of college, if grades 9 through 12 were completed in three years or less.
Be a citizen of the United States; or be a U.S. lawful permanent resident (or have applied for permanent
residence, the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at
the earliest opportunity allowed by law. If you have not yet become a U.S. citizen, see box below.
Be fully endorsed for Finalist standing and recommended for a National Merit Scholarship by your
high school principal (or school official designated by the principal).
Have a record of consistently very high academic performance in all of grades 9 through 12 and in any
college course work taken. Your school must provide a complete record of high school courses you
have taken, grades earned, and course work you will take in grade 12. The school should also notify
NMSC of any noticeable decline in your academic performance during the current year. If you are now
in college, high academic performance must continue and must be documented by an official transcript
of your record (see instructions on page 2 of this document).
Submit the completed application to your high school official as soon as possible. The school official
will complete the schools sections of the application for final submission to NMSC by October 12, 2011.
Take the current SAT® and earn scores that confirm your 2010 PSAT/NMSQT performance. You must
take (or have taken) a national administration of the SAT between October 2009 and December 2011.
Also, it is your responsibility to file a request with the College Board SAT Program to have an official
report of your SAT scores sent to NMSC (code 0085). See page 2 of this document for detailed information
about authorized SAT administrations and score reporting.
Provide any additional documentation and information that NMSC requests.
National Merit, Merit Scholarship, Merit Scholar, and the corporate logo are federally registered service marks of National Merit Scholarship
Corporation. PSAT/NMSQT is a registered trademark of National Merit Scholarship Corporation and the College Board. SAT is a registered trademark
of the College Board. The College Board was not involved in the production of this document.
If</p>
<p>That makes two of us, because I forgot I responded, lol! I am so glad you did take the SAT --that really had me worried obviously :O. Good luck to you!</p>
<p>Have you considered Gettysburg College? They can be generous with merit aid to top students & it is a very nice school that is climbing the ranks.</p>