<p>How much does being a National Merit Semifinalist affect an admission decision at a top private college? Specifically, at Ivy League universities, will this title give any boost to an applicant's chance, or are Semifinalists common enough at Ivies to not really make any difference?</p>
<p>As far as I've heard, it doesn't realy mean that much at an Ivy League. It's sort of like just having another club or honor to add to your application but there are already plenty of people in the same club. When you think about it, National merit semifinalists only results from a few hours work and maybe only a question or two difference from the non-semifinalist and Ivy's know that. On the other hand it can be a very importent thing if you are going to a non ivy school.</p>
<p>This may not really help you, but my history teacher, who is involved with the admissions process, told me that Rice University actually ENJOYS denying admission to semi-finalists who try to coast through on their NM status, so I think that it may not be so important. Since Rice University is the "Ivy League" of the South and also very selective, I'm just assuming the NM considerations are similar at the real Ivies.</p>