<p>**But this fine kid is a NM semifinalist, National Hispanic Scholar, and ranks in the top 15%. **</p>
<p>Is she not in the top 10%? Fordham’s NM scholarship requires the student to be in the top 10%? </p>
<p>THE FORDHAM SCHOLARSHIP FOR SEMIFINALISTS IN THE NATIONAL MERIT, NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT, OR HISPANIC RECOGNITION COMPETITIONS</p>
<p>*Semi-finalists and finalists in the National Merit, National Achievement, or Hispanic Recognition competition **who are also in the top 10 percent of their high school class **may receive this award. *</p>
<p>Re: the Fordham full tuition award - being in the top 10% of the class to be considered…</p>
<p>I discussed that with the admissions counselor, and I am understanding that they may have some latitude with that requirement, depending on high school classes, etc. I take it to mean that the award is not automatic if you meet the requirements, and that the award is not necessarily out of reach to students who fall into a range that the college elects to consider. I am guessing that since she is both NMSemiF(hope to be finalist) and NHRP scholar, in addition to coming from a pretty academically rigorous high school there may be some extra latitude. I am hoping that, and I based our trip on that fact. I didn’t expect a guarantee from the admissions counselor, but I did expect a fair assessment of what her chances were, and I wasn’t led to believe it would be a show stopper. We’ll see. You can bet I will post the outcome here, for those who are interested. </p>
<p>I would stick to the midwest schools to keep the costs down. Many schools have already been mentioned. I love Lawrence University. Beloit is great and has an edge. Look at College of Wooster. They have many merit type scholarships. I will put in a plug for another school, not mentioned very often here, in rural Minnesota, Gustavus Adolphus. I know some people involved with the school and they watch after their graduates! It’s sporty. They have Scandanavian study programs and the Nobel conference with ties to the Nobel Foundation. Your daughter would stand out at any of these places.</p>
<p>You may have seen this thread already, but I’m posting the link in case you haven’t. It’s the best roundup of National Merit scholarships that I have seen, and it’s current. </p>
<p>Also, I saw from another one of your posts that you’re looking for a full ride or full-tuition scholarship for your daughter. What is her SAT or ACT score? If that’s also high, she may qualify for merit aid based on that, aside from her NMF status. My daughter is on a full-tuition scholarship at Pitt that is based on the SATs, not her NMF. So cast a wide net.</p>