<p>I received a letter from the NMSC a few days ago, so I'm incredibly excited that I'm one of the 50,000 students who qualified for the National Merit Scholarships. :D</p>
<p>However, I'm in a bit of dilemma towards which schools to list. I've been reading the boards for a few days now trying to get some research. Apparently, the reporting service is only of real use to schools which actually give out National Merit Scholarships, even if we know if we only qualified. </p>
<p>I was wondering if it was any use to placing WashU on the service or whether they place that much emphasis on this type of demonstrated interest, since I probably won't be able to visit Missouri seeing how I go to school in Beijing.</p>
<p>You can place them on the list but it doesn’t go towards interest. You can also change your top choice until the summer you graduate. Keep in mind that Wash U gives only a couple thousand a year, as opposed to half or full scholarships at other places. </p>
<p>If you really want to go to Wash U but can’t visit, I would highly suggest keeping in touch with faculty through phone calls and emails, asking REAL questions, not just, “How good is your basketball team.” </p>
<p>Congrats on making NMSC though JW, how are you a semifinalist if you live in Beijing?</p>
<p>Yeah, I’m not a semifinalist since I only took it in Oct. 2008. I’ve just gotten my qualification letter. I find out if I’m a semifinalist or commended scholar in Sept. 2009. </p>
<p>Oh and yeah, I’m a US citizen but I go to an international school in beijing, so luckily I still get all the perks while living abroad.</p>
<p>I don’t think it matters too much… IMO. Just put your top two choices and move on. I will say, though, that I don’t think Ivy Schools care too much about this, and they don’t sponsor NMF awards at all.</p>
<p>I selected Rice as one of my two schools and received an application fee waiver, but got nothing from WashU (the other school I chose) related to this.</p>
JW, how are you a semifinalist if you live in Beijing?</p>