<p>Does the essay you write after becoming a SF determine whether or not you eventually make NM Scholar? Is that the one they use, or do you write a different one after becoming a finalist??</p>
<p>Also...after becoming a finalist, do those who make Scholar typically have 225+ range scores, or is it truly a holistic process based on grades, rank, ECs, essay, etc?</p>
<p>Although there are some here who may disagree, “National Merit Scholars” are those finalists who receive either the NM-sponsored scholarship, the corporate-sponsored scholarship, or the college-sponsored scholarship (refer to [National</a> Merit Scholarship Corporation - NMSP](<a href=“http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php#entryreq]National”>http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php#entryreq) under “Types of Merit Scholarship Awards” for info). As for your question, you don’t provide any additional information after finalist (except to ultimately name which college you will be attending).</p>
<p>Haven’t ever seen anything to indicate what NM “values” for the awarding of the NM-sponsored scholarship.</p>
<p>hookem168, there is no clear data of how one is selected to receive the $2500 scholarship directly from NM. However, if a NMSF has other type of NM Scholarship, mostly corporate, that he/she qualifies then that is what he/she is likely to get. The big benefit of being a NMF is the availabilbity of some of the big scholarships that are offered by some colleges to any NMF who is going to designate the college to be their first choice. If you qualify as NMSF, you will receive a lot information from those colleges.</p>
<p>I think Scholar is a holistic determination. I know many high scorers who wrote excellent essays (including one with a 234, for example) who did not receive a $2500 award. But Christian2 is correct - there’s nothing reported about the profile of Scholar award recipients. He’s also correct that the true benefit lies elsewhere.</p>