<p>Well, I'm not exactly sure where to put this topic, but here seems to be the best place.</p>
<p>I qualified as a Semifinalist, and at that time I wrote in a school for my first choice college. However, that was a couple months ago, and I think my top choice has changed. I'm still interested in the first one, but not as much. Both of these schools are very selective, and don't give the full-ride guarantee given by other schools. </p>
<p>My dilemma is this: should I switch my top choice school? If so, should I change it to my new top choice, or to a school where I will be guaranteed a full-ride if I do make Finalist, on the very possible chance I don't get in to either? How much weight is given to Semifinalist/Finalist status? Is there anyone else in a similar situation?</p>
<p>I realize ultimately I will be the one making the decision, but any help/advice would be appreciated.</p>
<p>I would think that the best thing for you to do is to wait until your situation becomes a little clearer--it is not necessary to declare your first choice school for a few months yet.
See where you are accepted, and what it will cost to attend each school. You can always call up the financial office of those selective schools and see if there is any benefit to naming them as a first choice school. If there is a possibility that you may attend a school that gives generous merit scholarships if you name them as first choice, it may be well worth it to name it rather than a school that doesn't offer merit money--that way, when push comes to shove, you will have an affordable alternative to those expensive schools. Be careful to check the dates of when schools wish to be named as first choice--some are as early as March.</p>
<p>Mk thanks, that's about what I had figured...</p>
<p>Also, I just found out that I missed the application filing period for merit scholarship consideration at one of the schools that guarantees a full ride to NMFs, so this would be the only way I would get that scholarship...</p>