<p>It is my understanding that even if I become a National Merit Finalist Amherst does not offer any merit money. I am a junior in high school and I hope to be a semi-finalist. The National Merit organization asks what two colleges do we want to advise of our status. Amherst is currently my top choice school. Would you suggest that I request my Merit Scholar info to go to Amherst as a sign of interest in the school even if no financial benefit would follow? Does Amherst track a prospective student’s interest level? What is the advice that current students can offer on this issue? Thanks as always for your advice.</p>
<p>I sent in mine last year, and received a very personal letter from the Dean of Admission, Tom Parker. Until today I still believe that one decision to Amherst plays a big factor on my acceptance.</p>
<p>Suloshfets:</p>
<p>First, what an interesting name!</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply. Did you have the National Merit people send your score to Amherst or did you send it in yourself to the Dean of Admissions? That personal letter must have made you feel terrific.</p>
<p>I had it sent. Dean Parker wrote a personal letter back to me and said that "I would like to let you know how delighted I was to learn that Amherst is one of your top two choices for your undergraduate education." He also included his email and told me to feel free to contact him. I did write to him later about one particular question I had. He forwarded my question to the other person in charge, but also responded with a personal email to me. The other college I sent to was Yale, and they didn't even give it a damn.</p>
<p>I just want to add that Dean Parker appears to be a very nice person. He has a great sense of humor and is down to the earth and approachable. In the mini opne house, at one event one other dean read to the audience a long list of outstanding accomplishments this year's admitted students have done, and I was kind of feeling stupid since I didn't do any of those. Then Dean Parker stood up and said to us that any of us didn't do any of those things and was feeling bad or was wondering why we got accepted could go to see him. Everybody laughed and I immediately felt I belong.</p>