<p>Hey everyone so I got my PSAT scores back and I got a 215. I should be able to make the cutoff for SF, and hopefully Finalist. I was wondering what are some suggested schools that would satisfy the full tuition or full ride given by NM. Im looking to do a double major in industrial engineering, and Finance. I was looking into Georgia Tech, but Im not sure they give out money for NM. But thanks for taking the time in answering my post. I really appreciate it:)</p>
<p>Congrats on the big score! That’s awesome. I’m also a junior who recently found out about a high PSAT score (224) and, like you, I’ve been looking for good schools that will give big scholarships and such. I found a very comprehensive list here on CC, you should check it out:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/649276-nmf-scholarships-updated-compilation.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/649276-nmf-scholarships-updated-compilation.html</a></p>
<p>Based on a quick Google search I did, I found a page ([Georgia</a> Institute of Technology :: Financial Aid :: Scholarships :: National Merit](<a href=“Blow the Whistle! (404 error: page not found) | Financial Aid”>Blow the Whistle! (404 error: page not found) | Financial Aid)) which indicates that Georgia Tech offers $500-$2000 annually for NMF. So, they’ll give you something, but not very much compared to all the full-rides you’ll be offered if you make NMF.</p>
<p>Congrats! Thanks for the info, it was extremely helpful. Do you suggest any schools on that list that are specific to what I want to major in?</p>
<p>I’m a likely NMF (still haven’t gotten a rejection letter) this year and I’m headed to the University of Alabama. Their NMF package covers tuition, housing, a $1k annual stipend, and $2k for study abroad in the summer. Even if you don’t make finalist, you can still get full tuition, although there is a deadline for that scholarship. I know Auburn, Oklahoma, Houston, Kentucky, and Baylor also give very generous scholarships to NMF. There is a thread here about what different schools give.</p>
<p>Thats awesome! Im sure you made it! What made you attracted to bama? Doe Baylor only offer full tuition to Finalists, or Semi’s too?</p>
<p>I actually first found out more about it on here. People kept saying how nice it was, and you really can’t pass up an opportunity for a free ride. The more I read about it, the more I liked it. The fact that I can basically create my own major through their DegreeWorks is awesome, too. I visited last week and both my parents and I loved the campus. We were asking the student panel what they didn’t like about the school, and they couldn’t come up with a single thing. And if you’re a football fan, why wouldn’t you want to come to Bama? RTR.</p>
<p>Thats an extremely valid reason. And Bama is actually ranked pretty high for a state school. Also the full ride is definitely worth it. Diversity for me is a big factor for a school. Did you feel that bama was diverse?</p>
<p>Yes, Bama’s national rankings has been climbing pretty rapidly over the last few years under President Witt. I heard when I visited that they had 10 USA Today Academic All-Americans - most of any school in the country and one spot ahead of Harvard. They also had 182 NMFs in the freshman class last year.</p>
<p>I think culturally speaking, it’s fairly diverse. I think something like more than 50% of last year’s freshman class was from out of state. On the fb group, most of the kids OOS, and not just surrounding states like MS or GA, either. There are a good number of kids from Illinois, Ohio, California, and all around the country. Being Asian in a school with a pretty small percentage of Asian students, I didn’t feel out of place - the people there are just sooo nice and friendly. I have to admit, I had doubts about Tuscaloosa for a while, but it’s just such a great place and I can’t wait to be there in the fall.</p>
<p>Where are you from?</p>
<p>Im originally from Detroit, but Ive been in kansas for high school. Im indian haha. I feel like diversity is so important to developing a complete view on life, and its important to be able to connect with different people.</p>
<p>* I got a 215. I should be able to make the cutoff for SF, and hopefully Finalist.*</p>
<p>you’re in Kansas now? </p>
<p>I think Kansas was one of the states that had an increase in NMSF cutoff. Hopefully, someone will post the link for all states’ cutoffs for last Sept, to give you an idea of what Kansas might be next Sept.</p>
<p>These were the Sept, 2011 NMSF cutoffs for each state:</p>
<p>AL 211; AK 212; AZ 213; AR 205; CA 221; CO 215; CT 220; DE 217; DC 223; FL 214; GA 218; HI 216; 211; IL 216; IN 214; IA 210; KS 214; KY 212; LA 209; ME 212; MD 221; MA 223; MI 210; MN 215; MS 205; MO 213; MT 209; NE 209; NV 209; NH 216; NJ 223; NM 210; NY 219; NC 217; ND 204; OH 214; OK 209; OR 216; PA 215; RI 213; SC 211; SD 206; TN 214; TX 219; UT 208; VT 217; VA 220; WA 220; WV 204; WI 209; WY 204; International 223; New England Boarding Schools 223; Commended Scholar (National) 202</p>
<p>Source: [National</a> Merit Scholarships](<a href=“http://www.collegeplanningsimplified.com/NationalMerit.html]National”>http://www.collegeplanningsimplified.com/NationalMerit.html)</p>
<p>I was talking to my gifted teacher, and she told me that I should be okay, considering this year it is rumored that the PSAT score is supposed to drop a couple points. So I should HOPEFULLY be alright</p>
<p>Congrats Soupsong - My D is finishing up the process that you are starting - So I thought I would throw out a few things for you.</p>
<p>First of all, no matter what you teacher told you, you are probably going to be anxiously awaiting the cutoff scores. No one really knows what they are going to do. They went up a good bit more than expected last year, so they may go back down, but they may not. Be sure and make your plans with some alternatives in case that happens.</p>
<p>GT does not do much with NMFs, and its very hard to get any merit only money there. I think its more FASFA type need based aid that they concentrate on.</p>
<p>People throw out the term full ride a lot, but most NMF scholarships do not actually cover the full cost (tuition, room, food, books, etc.) But they can get pretty close and you can make up some of the difference with other independent scholarships or need based aid.</p>
<p>If you are in Kansas and want to stay near there, you might want to look at University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, both of which are close by and offer very good packages for NMFs. As noted, Alabama also has an excellent offer, as do many other schools. University of Houston is one that does have a full ride offer.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>*GT does not do much with NMFs, and its very hard to get any merit only money there. I think its more FASFA type need based aid that they concentrate on.
*</p>
<p>GT doesn’t even do much with FAFSA either…especially for OOS students. The instate kids get HOPE, so after that either the kid will qualify for Pell or maybe some merit, but that’s about it. The OOS kids are largely paying full-freight unless they get some merit. There are some merit offers but they are highly competitive.</p>
<p>Do you know how much your parents will pay? If money is an issue, you really should look at the offers that are full tuition PLUS. Outside of tuition, students often need about $15k for room, board, fees, books, transportation, and misc expenses.</p>
<p>Since you’re looking at GT, does that mean that you’d be majoring in eng’g? If so, look at Bama…not only would you get the large NMF offer if you make NMF, but you’d also get 2500 per year from engineering.</p>
<p>Thanks for the insight dramadad. and yes i will be looking into bama, but I wasnt sure any other schools that have great engineering programs that give a lot of money. My parents can pay whatever amount necessary IF it is a good school such as GT. But I rather go to an undergrad program and then go to an excellent grad program later on.</p>
<p>Well, I am actually a GT grad myself, so I don’t want to talk you out of GT. Its a great school. But if you are out of state its going to cost a good bit. I have already mentioned a few others to consider, but you might also look at Texas AM, which has a good engineering school and provides good NMF money</p>
<p>Another engineering school to consider if you are NMF is Drexel in Philly. Not a full ride, but full tuition. The Co-Op is quite good.</p>
<p>My son will be attending GT next fall. Georgia Tech gives their NMF $1000/year for 4 years.</p>
<p>Yeah my Dad went there and absolutely loved it. Im hoping to do Industrial Engineering, which GT is number 1 in! I will definitely look into Drexel. I have heard many great things about Drexel.</p>