<p>Describe your personal characteristics, accomplishments, primary interests, plans, and goals. What sets you apart?</p>
<p>In 500 words?? Should I write a little bit about several aspects of my life or focus on one big one? I just feel like this is an incredibly broad topic.</p>
<p>It is good practice for your college essays. Pick an activity or part of your life that represents your general character/behavior and show how you operate. I really do not think a lot of weight is placed on this essay during the selection process; seems more like a formality.</p>
<p>I figured (about it being a formality) but I tend to obsess over these things so I thought I'd ask.</p>
<p>oooooh you got your letter?</p>
<p>i'm hoping that means i'll recieve mine soon..</p>
<p>15,000 out of 16,000 become finalists right? So as long as our essay is in English, we get good SAT scores, don't fail classes - it seems we'll be able to move on?</p>
<p>^ yeah basically...</p>
<p>but question: do they use the same essay to determine whether or not you will become an actual scholar, or do we have to write a new one for that?</p>
<p>My daughter just cut and pasted her Common App essay. She did make finalist, but did not receive the NM sponsored scholarship (did receive a college-sponsored scholarship).</p>
<p>One thing to note about NM-sponsored scholarships vs. college-sponsored NM scholarships is that the NM-sponsored is a one time $2500 scholarship. College National Merit "packages" vary in amount - and are usually for four years. It has been reported here in the past that one Scholar received the NM-sponsored $2500 and wound up getting less than another Scholar at her college who received the college-sponsored NM scholarship.</p>
<p>i would like to use my commonapp essay, but it only talks about an experience that changed my outlook on life. it doesn't really discuss my accomplishments, interests, and goals, as stated in the national merit essay. are they looking for a more straightforward essay?</p>
<p>do u really think its a formality? i thought that would be one of the main things they look at. i mean after all, every applicant will have amazing numbers. i figured u gotta stand out in your essay but idk.</p>
<p>I don't think it's a formality. Would that mean ppl with a 240 and a 4.0 has it made and doesn't have to do anything? I tend to think the essay and recs are the most important parts, but then again, I'm a 09er, so what would I know <em>shrug</em></p>
<p>"Describe your personal characteristics, accomplishments, primary interests, plans, and goals. What sets you apart?"</p>
<p>Is this the essay question for this year or last year ......or is it always the same question?
When is the essay due?</p>
<p>I think the whole package matters, but if 15,000 of 16,000 go on to the next step, then that doesn't indicate a rigorous perusal of teacher recs and student essays. I think NMS is probably looking to confirm your high performance with the grades, recs, and essay so as long as you do so you are probably passed on. If, on the other hand, your recommendation is bad and your grades are low, even a fabulous essay will not get you through.</p>
<p>The essay really is more of a formality. Do a good job on it, but do't lose sleep over it. Most semi-finalists will move on to be finalists. The folks who become NM Scholars are the ones with the highest PSAT and SAT scores. Your essay will not help you or hurt in this area.</p>
<p>I wrote a quick little essay about my bookshelf... sort of a variation on the "things in my room" essay. That'll do, right?</p>
<p>anyone who was a finalist have a sample essay they might share? i think a bunch of us 09ers are confused as to how broad or how specific our response can/should be.</p>
<p>focus on an event that reveals multiple. thats What I did. But then again my essay is terrible. so never mind, dont do that.</p>
<p>your post made me chuckle, modernchem.</p>
<p>Don't get creative. Just write an essay with the things in it that they ask for. It is a pretty straight forward thing to do. Keep to the word limit. Be concise.</p>
<p>o brother. my essays pretty unique... i kinda figured my scores probly wont be enough to win so i might as well take a risk with the essay. i thought it could only help me because i probably wont win anyway. im afraid of writing a traditional essay because im not a very good writer.</p>
<p>Why won't your scores be enough? Your PSAT is good enough. If your SAT is above 2000 or so, you will be good to go. Write an essay about what you like to do and what is important to you. You will be fine. Most semi-finalists become finalists. If you are shooting for being a NM Scholar (getting one of the 2500 national awards) it is pretty much all score based and your essay won't help you one way or the other.</p>