<p>You're supposed to put your first choice college on your application but my first choice college isn't on the list of colleges that supplies scholarships. Should I put the one that I also want to go to that's on the list, though I want to go there less? Or should I not put anything? Or what?</p>
<p>You should put the one that has the best mix of your interest and money they give for national merit. For example, Rennsalaer is on the list...lets say they're your favorite, but they only give 1000-2000 bucks per year to finalists(which is true). Alfred is your second choice college, but they give full-rides to finalists (also true). I'd go w/ Alfred. I think you should figure out which college fits those two things best for you...most money/interest mix.</p>
<p>If you put a college as your first choice on the National Merit application, does that mean that if you are accepted that you must go there? My top college picks aren't on the list, but I am applying to Vanderbilt, which is on the list. Should I just put Vanderbilt as my top choice? Is there any disadvantage to this?</p>
<p>This topic has already been covered several times in the past. (Just do a search and you'll see.) </p>
<p>There is absolutely no point in naming a first choice college now. Just wait until next spring when you will have a better idea of where you might be going, so that you don't "waste" your choice.</p>
<p>Once you have named a school as your first choice and that school has officially offered you a scholarship through the NM program, you can't be offered a NM scholarship by another school. So it's really in your best interest not to take any action now.</p>
<p>And if your top choice doesn't participate in the NM scholarship program, then don't bother listing it, since NM asks that question only to keep track of who is eligible for the scholarships.</p>
<p>but it's also a good way to show interest to a coollege</p>
<p>@worried_mom and op
You can still change your school choice up until a certain date (sometimes next year I believe, perhaps in Feb.)</p>
<p>Noob, but why change if you aren't certain. Just leave it blank and send correct first choice school in later. That is what my s did. Not a big deal.....</p>