<p>gashergina: We live in Oregon. The Oregon PSAT cutoff for 2009 National Merit Semifinalist was 213. There were two students from our son's high school that were Semifinalists and 6 commended. Both Semifinalists moved forward to Finalist status. Seemed like a straight-forward process. Both scored well on the PSAT and the SAT, 4.0 students, strong extracurricular activities, strong essay writers, and great recommendations from the Principal. Our school is very supportive of the kids who receive Commended as well as Semi-finalist awards. The Principal notifies the kids right away to congratulate them. Sounds like we are fortunate to have a very supportive administrative staff at the school. It is a public high school with ~1700 students.</p>
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Question, are we responsible for informing our colleges that we made NMF? Or do we just presume they'll figure it out?
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<p>I'm curious about this too, though I haven't been notified yet.</p>
<p>I believe you have to notify your 'first choice'</p>
<p>My school finally got the good news today! I'm in NH. So we should notify only our number one schools and no one else?</p>
<p>I think you should notify all the schools you applied to. Not all schools are sponsoring schools, and just because you didn't list them as your first choice doesn't mean they won't give you money for NM.</p>
<p>How is the best way to notify other schools you applied to?</p>
<p>Found out son made it! Yippee! Still did not get it in the mail but called the school as some of you suggested. They have known since last week (they said it was mailed on the 3rd) but were just going to let the kids find out by mail. So call the school if you want to know. As to the colleges, most say you only get the scholarship if they are your number one pick but I don't see any harm in letting the other schools know. You don't need to let your number one know as they will get the info from national merit. Just make sure you let national merit know what your final number one choice is.</p>
<p>"Question, are we responsible for informing our colleges that we made NMF? Or do we just presume they'll figure it out?"</p>
<p>I'm wondering this, too.</p>
<p>anyone from Cali received notification ?</p>
<p>Sooo... back in January I received the bad news. Reeeee-JECTED from National Merit. I mourned my lost scholarship opportunities and tried to put it behind me.</p>
<p>I then found out that my principal was sending National Merit a letter of appeal. (!!!) I didn't ask her to, she just... did.</p>
<p>Today I got a letter that says I have advanced to finalist standing! (Needless to say, at first I was like, "NU-UH"... but hey. I'm so unbelievably excited. And my principal is getting some sort of thank you gift for sure.)</p>
<p>^ wow your principal is awesome!</p>
<p>My d made it to finalist, I was told today by guidance counselor.</p>
<p>Does anyone have suggestions for great 'free ride' colleges? Most are just a name on the list to me, and I think my d will have to take a free ride somewhere. A lot of these colleges still have open admissions deadlines, fortunately. </p>
<p>She has no preconceived ideas of what she wants in a college, and isn't sure of her major. How's that for providing info? </p>
<p>Can anyone give suggestions? You can PM me if you prefer.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>What state are you in? (If proximity matters to her)</p>
<p>Full rides my ds heard from include U of Oklahoma, Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Texas Tech, Central Florida, Texas A & M just to name a few. Many more seem to cover tuition and fees, but not as much for housing. There were some pretty good threads about this not too long ago. Do a search on these boards and you can probably find out alot.</p>
<p>Many state universities that don't promise full free rides to National Merit Finalists in practice offer packages that are equivalent to free rides to such students. (I know one local case.) So apply anywhere you are interested in attending, and see what is on offer.</p>
<p>Wow, magneticpoet, I'm excited for you! But to add to the list, my principal informed finalists yesterday afternoon- we're in the greater Houston area. Hey, is anyone else considering taking any offers? My family and I are seriously considering taking the Oklahoma deal, in light of the current economic state. And I have three other siblings who need college educations,too.</p>
<p>I just got the letter, but I'm not sure if it will do me any good. Anyone know if any of the following schools do anything for National Merit Finalists? I assume the Ivies do not since they don't do merit scholarships in general, but please reply if you've actually done the research. Also, does anyone know what role reporting a school as first choice plays in receiving the scholarship?
UC Berkeley; Northwestern, Michigan, Harvard, Yale, Penn, Brown, Columbia
Thanks!</p>
<p>There is a packet that comes with the National Merit Semifinalist packet that lists the colleges that participate in the scholarships. I know that none of the Ivies participate, and I dont think that UCB does either. You'll have to check for northwestern and michigan.</p>
<p>I'm a sophmore in highschool and took the psat's. I don't know if my scores are good or bad. I scored a 50 reading - 57 math - 53 writing/ selection index is 160 and percentile compared to college bound juniors is 71. Does anyone know what this means?</p>
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Does anyone have suggestions for great 'free ride' colleges?
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<p>A useful list for those that are interested (verify - not necessarily up-to-date)</p>
<p>I was notified of my Finalist status earlier in the week. It's pretty cool I guess, but I already know where I'm going, and it isn't one of the full ride schools.</p>