<p>*Some–there are many others–of the good schools that give some competitive merit awards are Rice, Wash U. St. Louis, Univ. of Chicago, Vanderbilt, Emory…
*</p>
<p>Some of these merit scholarships are mostly awarded for geographic and ethnic diversity. These schools get lots of apps from students with perfect/near-perfect stats, so they use these scholarships to get kids that they really want to fill their various goals of ethnic and regional diversity.</p>
<p>You can apply to a few just to see, but if you want financial safety schools then you need to apply to a few schools where your stats will give you ASSURED merit for your stats.</p>
<p>What are your stats?</p>
<p>What is your intended major/career?</p>
<p>Are you a likely NMSF/F? what was your PSAT?</p>