<p>Thanks Opie. :) </p>
<p>I'm Arizona born and raised, so the heat and landscape are just part and parcel for me.</p>
<p>I THINK that USC still offers automatic 1/2 off tuition for NMF, but don't hold me to it. Son received full tuition scholarship plus $2000 NMerit scholarship there last year, but didn't feel it was a good fit for him and has transfered to U of Chicago this year, so bye-bye scholarship $$$$$.</p>
<p>
[quote]
bully for you and her.
[/quote]
Bully for you too. Sorry you can't stand for others to state facts that don't agree with your viewpoint. Someone might like to know that the Ivies don't generally give NMS awards. Fortunately, they do give outstanding need based aid that make it very affordable for middle class families to attend. Free rides are out there, but so are other opportunities for those that want them.</p>
<p>I am with Bandit TX, D got the $2500 and a huge helping hand from Harvard, in the way of financial aid. Amazing that it will cost less to attend Harvard than state U. First time I have ever been happy to be poor!!!!</p>
<p>Same with my D, other than the $2,500 awarded to her, she wasn't interested in schools that offer merit aid to NMF. Luckily we weren't looking for any aid.</p>
<p>Vivid
So glad you are having a great experience at ASU. D thoroughly enjoyed her 4 yrs there at Barrett's.We're from NY and she just loved the desert atmosphere,I thought there were lots of trees there,they're just different looking trees!! Especially loved the palm tree right outside her dorm window (new Best area) the first year.Loved the orange trees bloming and bearing fruit all winter as well! She loved the heat and is grumpy about living in the cold midwest now (though loves her city and Grad School).
She loved her Human Event sequence and did one of the Honors only summer study abroads (London,Dublin,Edinborough).She had a great mentoring experience in her major dept (Music) wrote her Honors thesis on a Musicology topic, defended it and used the document and the defense experience as a great basis for written submission to Grad school and interviewing practice.
Enjoy your time there!!</p>
<p>I agree with Bandit and Counting. Harvard may not offer merit money, but they do everything possible to help their admitted students attend. No complaints here.</p>
<p>"Bully to you and her"</p>
<p>Yes, Bandit TX, your information is useful and will be appreciated by some. I can't understand why someone would respond in such a nasty manner. your weren't bragging - you just stated a fact. If a child is one of the lucky few who do receive the $2500, at certain schools that is all they will receive and it is a one time only award from NM. </p>
<p>To the OP - if you go to the National Merit Scholarship website there is a list of schools and corporate sponsors. I think one way to gauge how likely it is that your student will receive money is to look at the number of scholarships that are awarded by a given school. Obviously, the amounts will vary, but at least that gives you a start.</p>
<p>Hi Vividscribbler, can a NMF get more scholarship from ASU in addition to the wonderful scholarship package for NMF. I have done some rough calculation and found that you might need an additional $6000+ to cover all expenses for the school year after the scholarship. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>"Bully for you too. Sorry you can't stand for others to state facts that don't agree with your viewpoint."</p>
<p>No, actually wondering why you chimed in when you're making it clear, you don't need no stinkin nm help. Maybe I read your comment wrong but... sure looked like you were putting down something that alot of other folks have found very helpful in their education pursuits. That's where the bully for you comes from... good for you that you didn't need nm scholarship help from one of those "lesser" schools. </p>
<p>" Someone might like to know that the Ivies don't generally give NMS awards."</p>
<p>And someone might not care about the "ivies". Gasp! </p>
<p>Some of us might think your college education is what YOU make of it, no matter where you are. There are some excellent places (hundreds) where a student can pursue excellence. Excellence isn't confined to the eastern seaboard. Visit the West sometime. </p>
<p>" Fortunately, they do give outstanding need based aid that make it very affordable for middle class families to attend. Free rides are out there, but so are other opportunities for those that want them"</p>
<p>Maybe had you phrased your original post a bit differently....</p>
<p>"She wasn't interested in the schools that offered free rides."</p>
<p>Maybe we see different meaning in this statement? Maybe you don't see it as a put down.</p>
<p>Opie
this happens every time there's a thread about merit scholarships.Get used to it if you're gonna stay around these parts.</p>
<p>Deja vu all over again? Post #2:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Most of the schools that either contacted D about substantial scholarships based on NMF scores or would have given her substantial scholarships for her NMF scores were schools she had no interest in attending, such as U/Arizona, U/Oklahoma, etc.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>D was NMF. She received full in-state tuition offer at Purdue but accepted full out-of-state tuition at UAHuntsville studying Engineering.</p>
<p>"this happens every time there's a thread about merit scholarships.Get used to it if you're gonna stay around these parts."</p>
<p>So I guess my question would be if you didn't find nm helpful or have a need, why post? Skip it as I do with 85% of the questions here. You won't find me, posting on "what bath towels to take freshman year?" my answer would have been "not the good ones". </p>
<p>Anyway, telling people who "are" interested in how you and yours aren't interested is a bit snobby. Sorry it just is. A couple of posters here are at one of those schools and having a good time and getting a good education. Should they feel lesser about themselves because they decided to go where they could take full advantage of what was offered? So pardon me if I stick up for those kids a bit.</p>
<p>Opie-
I guess its just a matter of how differently people look at things. I remember someone posting that there will always be people who want the flashy rolex or designer brand purse, no matter the cost, just to impress those around them (they think)--as for me, sometimes I think that I'm in the middle of a production of "The Emperor's New Clothes" where I want to jump up and scream "The emperor is as naked as a jay bird" (i.e-"You're spending a quarter of a MILLION dollars to go to X school when you can get a wonderful education at Y school for so much less and not sacrifice you or your parent's future.) I try to refrain from jumping on some of these posts and questioning the values and wisdom of these students and their parents, but I find that many of them are just so happy and eager to share that they are not interested in any school who would offer them merit money.</p>
<p>rcefn, </p>
<p>Good point. That one just rubbed the wrong way a little bit. I'll try and sit differently next time so my undies don't bunch up so tight.. ')</p>
<p>rcefn, Not trying to pick a fight but your comparison of college choice to "flashy rolex or designer brand purse, no matter the cost, just to impress those around them" is unnecessarily harsh.</p>
<p>"rolex or designer brand purse, no matter the cost, just to impress those around them" is unnecessarily harsh."</p>
<p>that's the rub, is it anymore harsh to write about how somebody "needs" merit money (re:scholarships) or attends a "lesser" school? </p>
<p>As I always like to say "I can't tolerate the intolerant". ;)</p>
<p>Hopefully you get it. </p>
<p>Whether something is "excessive" or "lesser" all depends on where you're standing.. doesn't it?</p>
<p>Opie
I hope I wasnt the one who rubbed you the wrong way.I was defending your point of view saying threads about merit $$ always seem to disintigrate into arguments about inferior vs top tier...having everyone being intellectual equals, etc. All very tiresome to me.Everyone can choose the educational experience thats right for them and not have to belittle/feel superior to another.If one wants to think the Ivy's and other top tiers are meeting need by showering a package of loans upon them and that equals merit scholarship than so be it.
I am a prime supporter of merit scholarship searches.Both kids have taken full advantage of this sytem so far with excellent results.
Sorry if I worded my response incorrectly or if you misread what I wrote.</p>