S2, a rising Sr., should be NM semi-finalist (has 225 in NY). Among the schools he is very interested in are Northeastern and USC, both of which offer substantial merit awards for NM finalists. Both say on their websites this is contingent on student listing school as first choice w/NM. Question: What should he do if, by October when NM application is due, he’s uncertain which of two he is leaning toward? Say “undecided”? I understand he can list one and then change it w/NM, until May. But would he need to change it by March 1, when NM starts notifying schools? Or should he, otherwise the school he switches to would feel like they really weren’t “first” choice," and possibly deny or lower his NM award?
" But would he need to change it by March 1, when NM starts notifying schools?"
NO.
leave it blank.
there is no need to declare his first choice until AFTER he knows where he has been accepted.
USC looks ONLY at the FINAL NM list, AFTER students have declared their FINAL first choice to NM by the May 1 deadline.
. USC THEN matches up students who have declared their intention to enroll to USC with the names on that list.
No need to select a “first choice” now. USC rejects hundreds of NMFs. They won’t expect to see a student name a first choice until spring.
Parents and NMSF’s: Do not fret about naming a first choice now. Not needed. Wait!
And if you do name a first choice soon, you can easily change it by faxing in the online form that can be found on the NMCorp website.
@mom2collegekids So DS is admitted to UT Austin but needs a little more merit aid. He has been notified he is a Natl Merit Scholar. Thinking of listing Baylor #1 in order to have them generate a Baylor FA showing full scholarship amounts. Then show UT to see if they can give more. If not, Baylor becomes more interesting. I’m thinking we could switch #1 to UT up until May 1 so it doesn’t matter.
See any flaws in the plan?
^^Just gather Baylor National Merit Scholarship information and then contact the UT Austin financial aid office, sending them an appeal, letting them know that it IS his first choice, but you family will need additional financial aid to make it work. [DONT SAY you need more MERIT AID and dont use the term NEGOTIATE]
Dont bother going through trying to list different colleges as his #1 - now is the time to make direct requests for additional aid to the colleges he has been accepted at.
@jjloehr You can try, but UT Austin has made it clear that they’re directing their aid to those in need. They’re expecting those with higher incomes/assets to pay.