<p>I am supposed to choose 2 schools to send my PSAT scores to through the College Plans Reporting Service by May 25th because the National Merit Scholarship Program recognized my 207 PSAT score. </p>
<p>I took the ACT once and i got a 34 Composite (32 Reading 32 English 34 Science 36 Math and 30 Writing/English combined). </p>
<p>I will probably persue a pre-med track. I'm from New York, and I've looked at a few schools. I liked Cornell and Georgetown (but how is Georgetown's science program? I know they are building a new science building). I didn't love Johns Hopkins. My counselor wants me to see Carnegie Mellon and Vanderbilt. My mom wants me to look at UChicago. </p>
<p>Which two schools should send the National Merit thing to?</p>
<p>It is a hard decision, but keep in mind that you will have one more shot to put down your #1 choice school on the application for National Merit Finalist standing in Oct (if you reach Finalist then a letter is sent next March telling that school that they are your first choice). There’s a lot of strategizing to that decision and I won’t go into it all right now. There’s lots of threads on choosing your “first choice” school (whether to put down a top university/ivy vs. choosing a college that gives NMF scholarships). You will have to learn all of that in the fall --there’s a long list of schools, given in the application packet, that are sponsored schools w/ NM corp., but you have to research each school to see how much scholarship money is really available to you and whether it’s worth risking putting down that school as #1 choice (it’s very complicated and there are tons of threads on it). </p>
<p>So, back to your main question, what two schools do you put down right now for semifinalist standing? I will tell you that my son put down UVa (we are instate) and Brown. He wanted to get himself “on the radar”. Those were his top choice schools. I think in this round, at least in my opinion, it makes the most sense to put down your top choice schools (reach/higher targets) rather than schools that offer full rides for NMF etc. (that can wait until fall application time). The fact that you have an idea of what you are wanting to study is a step ahead of where my son was at your point, so yes probably a good idea to put down the schools that you feel are strongest for your future plans AND that are higher targets/reaches (and in reaches, I mean all Ivy’s etc. since these are reaches for anyone). In your case, I would put down two top schools for your program and I’m guessing you at least have your top schools chosen by now? Not sure when your two schools must be sent in, but go to the college search threads, and the Pre-med thread pages and see if you can get your top 5 narrowed down quickly. In some ways you have to go with gut instincts as well. You can’t really make a huge mistake at this point. It’s the NMF app. that matters much, much more.</p>
<p>Bottom line: it’s not going to make any difference for most of the schools you listed. </p>
<p>Are you looking for merit aid? That’s financial aid that depends entirely on stats, and not on your family’s finances. If you’re looking for merit aid, then one strategy is to use one of your two school notifications for a school that offers significant National Merit or merit-based aid. </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/649276-nmf-scholarships-updated-compilation.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/649276-nmf-scholarships-updated-compilation.html</a> lists schools that offer big NM funds; go to the last page to see the most recent list. I believe Vanderbilt currently offers $5k a year to NMFs, so if the school looks at all interesting to you, use this as an opportunity to show them some early love.</p>
<p>U will have lots of opportunties 2 change your choices I not one other time. </p>
<p>It doesn’t matter which 2 u choose now. You won’t make nmsf but your act is good 4 many schools. </p>
<p>In the meantime ask your mom how much she will pay 4 college.</p>
<p>I’m confused. The OP said he was from New York and had a 207 on the PSAT. The OP definitely will not be a NMSF and there will not be another time to send anything from NMSC to ANY other colleges. The OP need not worry about whether or not his choices offer NMSC scholarships, instead just choose the two you would most like to attend.</p>
<p>Go where you think you will be most happy.</p>