First Choice College - how important?

Paying for College National Merit Aid
1

<p>Hi! I'm currently in the middle of filling out the NM application, and I was wondering how significant the choice put down for first choice college is on the application? Is it just so that the college is informed about your status if they offer their own scholarships for National Merit Finalists?</p>

<p>And also, is it better to put your true first choice college even if they do not sponsor National Merit scholarships, or a college that you are applying to that does offer incentives for National Merit finalists if you list their college as your first choice?</p>

2

<p>It normally doesn’t matter until spring, and it can be changed later. Some special scholarships offered by schools have earlier deadlines for naming them as first choice.</p>

<p>Even if a school doesn’t award NMF scholarships, there may be benefit to having them as your first choice if you get the $2500 NMSC award, because it can be used at any college.</p>

3

<p>Our college counselor specifically advises leaving it blank for now and filling it in later. You do need to keep an eye on the deadlines for the different schools.</p>