National Merit Awards

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

<p>I just received a letter from National Merit Corporation saying that I didn't make it. This is quite unexpected, as my stats/ECs/recs got me to Yale, MIT, Columbia and a number of other top colleges, and I also made Presidential Scholar semi-final. Does anybody know what criteria they are using to select NM winners? Is it even more subjective than college admission process?</p>

<p>Also, does Yale sponsor Merit Scholarship awards? The letter says that some additional awards will be provided by sponsor colleges to those Finalists who were not offered scholarships.</p>

2

<p>You can use the Merit Scholarships to reduce the Self Help.</p>

3

<p>I know that, but does it sponsor the awards? The letter says that 4600 awards are sponsored by colleges and universities and some additional awards in this category can become availalbe shortly. I guess it works as a watilist.</p>

4

<p>i don't believe yale sponsors any NM awards</p>

5

<p>I think merit-based schools are the only ones who "support" the Merit Scholarships</p>

6

<p>Yale doesn't offer money for national merit scholarships, keeping in line with the Ivy agreement to only offer need based aid.</p>

7

<p>What was your score on the test? It's mostly about that.</p>

8

<p>idler:</p>

<p>My SAT score made me a Presidential Scholar candidate, which is more competitive than NMS. I posted my scores here:
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=806423#post806423%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=806423#post806423&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I now believe I was rejected because my school misreported my class rank. This happened with the Byrd scholarship, but the committee reversed their decision after double-checking. NMS however is a private institution and they do not reverse their decisions, nor they explain them.</p>

9

<p>
[quote]
I just received a letter from National Merit Corporation saying that I didn't make it. This is quite unexpected, as my stats/ECs/recs got me to Yale, MIT, Columbia and a number of other top colleges, and I also made Presidential Scholar semi-final. Does anybody know what criteria they are using to select NM winners? Is it even more subjective than college admission process?

[/quote]

I am a NM scholar and Presidential Scholar SF, but I was rejected from Yale and waitlisted at MIT...
Your composite on the PSAT only determines whether you're an SF; whether or not you write the essay and fill out the forms determines if you're a finalist; a combo of your recs, grades, transcript, test scores, and most importantly the essay determines if you're a scholar</p>

10

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<p>And how is it different from college adcom selection?</p>

11

<p>Not much different - except for the huge importance of the PSAT at the beginning of the process.</p>

12

<p>And this is why I am surprised that the same test scores, GPA, recs and essays that open doors to the most selective colleges don't work when it comes to NM awards.</p>

13

<p>well, you have to remember that only 2500 people receive NM awards. </p>

<p>Combined, far more people than that are accepted to even the most prestigious colleges. (1000-1600 students each)</p>

14

<p>
[quote]
a combo of your recs, grades, transcript, test scores, and most importantly the essay determines if you're a scholar

[/quote]
</p>

<p>it's not...only 2500 people can get a NM award...they have to pick them somehow, and it seems like colleges have already chosen the best process, so why not imitate theirs (minus interview)?</p>

15

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<p>Of which 40% are legacy, first generation college etc.. You assume that applicants are evenly distributed among colleges. But if several top school accept a certain student, it is hard to explain why he/she was denied a NM award, unless NM uses different criteria.</p>