<p>Will listing Princeton as my #1 choice for National Merit give me any slight boost?</p>
<p>Eh, not really.</p>
<p>nope. princeton doesnt even give you money for it</p>
<p>It is National Merit that gives you the money, not Princeton! We put Princeton first on NM, but I doubt Princeton is even aware…but it couldn’t hurt when they realize that you did not put Harvard first.</p>
<p>lol sorry for that misquote. I meant to say that but princeton doesnt accept national merit scholarships i believe.</p>
<p>NMSC told me they do not notify schools that don’t participate in the scholarship program so Princeton will never know you put them first.</p>
<p>Most often it is the college that gives the national merit money if they participate in the program (Princeton does not). Only about 2000 kids get the 2500$ award directly from the national merit coffers. The remaining finalists must qualify for scholarships with the college they attend or for one of the corporate awards. Colleges that do not participate do not even know that you listed them as your first choice. It will be relevant only if you are one of the few to receive the direct award or have a connection that gets you one of the corporate-sponsored awards.</p>