<p>when it asks for your first choice school should you put one that offers an award? for me, my first choice is dartmouth but its an ivy so there is no additional award beyong the $2500. my second choice is usc which offers a half tuition scholarship if your a finalist and usc is named your first choice. what should i do? if i name dartmouth as my first choice will they even know?</p>
<p>Do not list a school as your "first choice" unless they offer dollar awards to National Merit Semifinalists. In the case, pick USC. I think you are allowed to 'change your mind', so try contacting National Merit folks right away.</p>
<p>nactor329: I misread your post. Since you haven't yet named your 'first choice' school, you still have plenty of time to do so.
Definitely go with USC in this case. There's absolutely no reason for you to list Dartmouth. My daughter's dream school is UVA, but they don't take part in the National Merit awards either, so she will list another school. Good luck wherever you end up.</p>
<p>If you win a NMSF scholarship (not a school scholarship) you can move it after you select your school. We did that in July. Go ahead and select your best money option for now. The NMSF scholarships are pretty rare.</p>