<p>I am a national merit semifinalist and I would like to list Smith as my first choice college on that application. However, I am hopeful that I will receive a STRIDE scholarship from Smith. My question is, does anyone think that listing Smith as my first choice on the NMS application will make Smith less likely to award me a STRIDE scholarship in the spring? My logic was that if they already know that they are my top choice school, they wouldn't want to waste the scholarship trying to entice me to attend.</p>
<p>I'm applying RD for this very reason.</p>
<p>Any advice would be greatly appreciated! :)</p>
<p>Smith doesn’t give National Merit Scholarships, nor do many other elite colleges. </p>
<p>I think only D’s safety <em>may</em> have offered National Merit. </p>
<p>National Merit is a great hook for getting significant benefits at state schools like U/Arizona, U/Oklahoma, etc. Probably the second-tier LAC’s as well. But for the Ivy Leagues, the Top 20 LAC’s, etc., it pretty much won’t help.</p>
<p>Ergo, use your first choice National Merit option on a school that fits…it won’t hurt your chances for STRIDE at all.</p>
<p>Smith doesn’t give National Merit Scholarships, but if you’re named a National Merit finalist, other groups (like a parent’s employer, and some others) may give you a National Merit Scholarship. That’s what happened to me. </p>
<p>I think STRIDE decisions are in part about wooing students who might go elsewhere. But you’ll never know if listing Smith versus another school will be the deciding factor in whether you get STRIDE…there are so many things that go into that decision. I would say that if you’re applying to another school that gives National Merit aid to people who list it as their first choice, definitely put that school down (it might show Smith that you’re price-sensitive, and it will keep you in the running for funds at that school, should you decide to go there). And if you’re seriously interested in a school significantly more selective than Smith, you should put it as your top choice…it could be the thing that pushes you over the top there. If neither of those things fit your situation, then I’d say to list Smith.</p>
<p>After all that, though, I’d remind you that this decision is a tiny tiny part of Smith’s decision and likely will make no difference whatsoever!</p>
<p>Wooing students is the primary reason Smith created the STRIDE, which has been subsequently increased sixfold from its inception. Curiously, the award increase hasn’t increased the yield of STRIDE recipients matriculating.</p>
<p>Stacy: My second top choice (tied with Smith) is Tufts, so yes, if I get STRIDE it will definitely make Smith my #1. I ended up putting undecided on the application because after doing some research, I realized that none of the schools I’m applying to give National Merit scholarships.</p>