<p>Hey everyone. So, after the 15000 Finalists are picked, what are the criteria used to pick the winners of the scholarship? Is it mainly decided on who had the highest scores in the group, and then extracurriculars/gpa? I was a little confused about how they pick the top and if it was solely based on (or mainly) the actual score, and the rest of the stuff is secondary.</p>
<p>Also, do they also try to distribute the winners across the US again like they did for semifinalists, or does it not matter beyond a certain point where you're from, just what you got/your qualifications?</p>
<p>.....become Semifinalists, about 94% of whom go on to become Finalists.
Its really a process, not a selection.</p>
<p>Fair enough GPA/Transcript (Like not fail English 2 times while getting a 80 on CR)
Counselor does not hate you for burning down school/cheating/suspension/etc
2000+ SAT
Write an essay that answers the prompt somehow</p>
<p>There are three types of scholarships awarded to finalists:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Scholarships awarded by colleges/universities. Some give automatic acceptance and scholarships to all finalists, but most award scholarships of varying amounts to those students who are accepted--which is not all applicants. To my knowledge, those kinds of scholarships are based solely on being a finalist--your actual score does not matter, nor does your ec record, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>Scholarships awarded by corporations. Usually, but not always, these are awarded by application to finalists who are dependents of employees. I don't know much about this group.</p></li>
<li><p>Scholarships awarded directly by the NM Corporation. A one-time $2500 scholarship. I think one's overall high school record is a large factor in this group.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Some colleges and universities do not award any national merit stipends, so if you do not get one of the direct awards, you may not reap any direct benefits. Many do give awards, though, and some are very lucrative. You will have to investigate each school to find out whether and how much.</p>