I just submitted my National Merit finalist application with Columbia as my first choice college. However, today I found out that Fordham gives full tuition to semifinalists in the top 2-3% of the class. Do I need to put Fordham as my first choice to be eligible for this? I’ve also read that first choice is good for demonstrated interest, but do colleges see that they are your first choice for National Merit?
A college is only going to see that you listed them first choice with NMC when NMC sends the lists out. First list out is March 1 maybe. You do have to list Fordham first choice to receive their scholarship, but you do not have to list them until later. Columbia does not care, and will not see it in any event.