<p>If you are a NMSF, on the application materials to advance to finalist status, they ask you to list your first-choice college. </p>
<p>I'll be applying ED to a school that does not offer any merit-based aid at all, either NM finalist or otherwise. Do I still list this school as my first choice, even though it won't lead to anything scholarship-wise? </p>
<p>As an option, you could list "undecided". </p>
<p>The reason I'm asking is this: what if I get flat out rejected from my ED school? I may then be applying to other schools that do give NM scholarships to finalists.</p>
<p>You are able to rename your #1 choice in March when you decide what school you want to attend. I would choose a school for first choice that offers merit aid.</p>
<p>But what if a school that offers merit aid is not really my first choice? My first choice is an Ivy league school that does not offer merit aid (to which i am applying ED). Should I list my actual first choice, and then change it only if I get rejected from my first choice school?</p>
<p>If you list a school that DOES offer NMS, wouldn't that take you out of the running for any other scholarship? Way back when, I just listed my ACTUAL first choice, a school which did not sponsor institutional NM scholarships. I got a one-time National Merit award (I think it was $2,000 back then, not sure what they are now) sponsored by a company my family had no connections to based on my listed intended major. That scholarship could be used at any school I chose to attend.</p>
<p>You can list "undecided" for now. You do not need to name a first choice school until sometime in April next year. By then you shall pretty much know where you want to go.</p>
<p>Does the college in question receive notice if I've listed them as my first-choice?... Does that help in any way? I'm assuming that's a no, so I think I'll just put "Undecided," ha.</p>
<p>The answer is "no". This "name a college as you first choice" here is strictly for the consideration of NMF scholarship money offered by the school and nothing else. In other word, you shall not name any IVY league or any school that do not participate in the NMF program.</p>
<p>^but if you choose a college that doesnt sponsor the scholarships can't you still get an ordinary NM scholarship of 2500 or whatever to be used anywhere?
it seems like you can either get a regular 2500 scholarship, a company sponsored scholarship, or a college sponsored scholarship. </p>
<p>the thing is my first choice is an ivy---i'm under the impression that if you list such a school as a first choice you still have a chance for the regular NM scholarship? but if you list a school that sponsors a scholarship (like say, another of my choices is Wash U in St. Louis) then you can get a college sponsored scholarship and the amount may vary.
idk what to do. i guess i'll just put undecided and wait til april to figure it out.</p>
<p>Of the 15,000 finalists, about 2500 will be chosen as National Scholars. These folks get $2500 to use and any school they choose. These winners are pretty much chosen from those with the highest PSAT and SAT scores. Choosing a school will have no impact on winning one of these awards.</p>
<p>Next, there are school sponsored awards. In order to get one of these you have to attend a school that has one and you have to name that school as your first choice. However, for most schools you can wait until after acceptances are in to name a first choice school. There are a FEW schools that require you to name them as your first choice earlier. These are usually schools that offer substantial merit money for finalists. </p>
<p>Lastly, there are company sponsored awards. Usually they are given to the children of employees, students who live in the geographical vicinity of the company, or students planning on majoring in something of import to the company. These awards can be used at any school. </p>
<p>Students can only get one award. There is also the thought that choosing an Ivy as your first choice helps to "show the love" but this is not true. It is wasting your time to make your first choice school one that does not sponsor NM scholarships. </p>
<p>If you are applying to several schools that sponsor scholarships, there is some thought that indicating one of these schools as your top choice early in the process may increase either you admissions possibilities or your merit aid chances. I think that this may be true at some schools. If that is the case, choose the school you like the best. If you don't get in, you can change your first choice up until late April. </p>
<p>Keep any and all paperwork and communications from NMSC. Call them if you have questions. They are very helpful.</p>
<p>alamode, in your case listing your ivy as "first choice college" is OK. It will not hurt. You can also change your choice anytime before the designated deadline.</p>
<p>thanks. just one question....if you choose a school that sponsors a scholarship, are you considered for both the National Scholars award and teh College Sponsored award, or do you only have a chance at the Collee Sponsored award? (in other words, are the National Scholar awards restricted to those students whose first choice schools do not sponsor an award)</p>
<p>alamode - No. you can choose a college as your first choice school and still be considered for the National award. The national award winners are named first before they award anything else. </p>
<p>I do agree that naming an Ivy as your first choice won't hurt you, but it won't help you at all either. You are better off remaining undecided.</p>
<p>I am still torn between naming my actual first-choice school (which happens to be an Ivy) and putting down "undecided". I called NMSC to get some guidance, and frm they they tell me, it doesn't seem to matter much since you can change your "first-choice" any number of times before the deadline in the spring.</p>
<p>I don't really understand this. So, if you get a 2500 dollar National Merit Scholar award, now you're ineligible for potential full rides or big money at smaller-name colleges? That seems pretty unfair. Or can you deny the 2500 dollars in exchange for a college scholarship?</p>
<p>Let me see if I can explain how the scholarship works. You can only get one award that is considered to be a National Merit Scholarship. Many schools, however, enhance that scholarship by adding to it. Assume you get the $2500 from NM, you first choice (you have to designated that school to be your first choice) school can then add the big scholarship that they promise on top of that. Some school might include the $2500 as their offering. For example, ASU promise all OOS NMF who designated ASU as the first choice school a $23,000 per year schlarship which includes whatever you get from NMSC. If you get a $2000 per year NM scholarship from a sponsor corporation, then ASU will add $21,000 per year to your scholarship. If you get nothing from NMSC or corporation, then ASU will offer you $23,000 as their NM scholarship recipient. Some school might actually allow you to stagger the scholarship. In other word, one does not have to worry the NMSC's $2500 scolarship will restrict you in any way to receive the NM scholarship from you first choice college.</p>