<p>If Yale is your first choice, did you put it down as your National Merit first choice even though it doesn't give out National Merit Scholarships? I mean, just on the off chance they take it as some kind of a sign of commitment? Also, does applying to a non-sponsering college increase your chance of winning a $2500 scholarship from the company itself? The only college I'm applying to that sponsers these scholarships is the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and they only give $500/year. I have to send in the postcard by Feb. 1 if I want the $500 from Madison, but UW's my ultimate backup. Any thoughts? thanks</p>
<p>Nope. I put Rice because they offer money. Still got in Yale EA.</p>
<p>I'm not applying to any of the schools that are sponsors so I think I put Yale or Princeton anyway. I don't think it'll be taken as a great sign of commitment that would change anything so go ahead and put a school that would give you money.</p>
<p>My daughter put NYU because they offered money, but got into Yale early. I can't imagine it made any difference one way or the other.</p>
<p>Additionally, she applied for and was awarded a Nat'l Merit Scholarship sponsored by my husband's employer that could be used at any college. I think these sponsored scholarships all may have their own rules. In her case, you had to submit the application your junior year, well before you knew whether you were going to be a Nat'l Merit Finalist. So if you are eligible for one of these, check out the applicatio.n rules earlier rather than later</p>
<p>Merit scholarship $$ that can be used at Yale. Nice deal if you are lucky enough to find it, veteranmom! It doesn't get any better.</p>
<p>My church gives 2,000 to anyone who graduates! :)</p>
<p>nice church...</p>
<p>Did anyone else get contacted at school today (Friday) about their standing? I found out this afternoon I'm a Finalist. A few of my teachers have been at my school 30+ years, and they couldn't remember the last time someone from my school made it this far...</p>
<p>My friends and I are anxiously waiting. Someone on the Financial Aid forum said that if you didn't make it to a finalist, you would've been notified already. Last year we had 24/25 make it to finalist, and I'm hoping that all 26 of us make it this year. (I go to a very competitive high school; we're like, forty-something-th on Newsweek's list)</p>
<p>I found out Friday that I'm a finalist. My high school usually only has 1-2 finalists each year. Compared to my school, that's a lot of finalists, llamapyjamas!</p>