<p>I am a national merit semifinalist (still waiting it hear if I'm a finalist) and when I filled out the forms U of M wasn't on the list of schools with a national merit program. I've received offers from other schools (ones I have no interest in, of course), offering full rides if I become a finalist or at least a few thousand a year just for being a SF. I am fully aware that these schools are not nearly as high quality as UM and make these offers so that they can say they have a certain number of NM students. I'm just wondering if I can expect to get ANYTHING out of UM based on my involvement in the program.</p>
<p>Also, just out of curiosity, does being involved in the program boost one's chances of admission?</p>
<p>hey im in the same situation as u are. i haven't heard anything about michigan giving out scholarships to nmfs...wish they would. it seems the only other top schools that are on the list are uchicago and northwestern. and do colleges even know ur a nmsf unless u write it in ur apps? i hoped it would help in the admissions process...but i dunno.</p>
<p>i'm already aware of the fact that they don't officially participate, i'm just wondering if they might see it as an asset and boost my merit scholarship or something.</p>
<p>From what I know (and it's not that much) a lot of the people with NMSF status end up getting merit scholarships. I don't think they get the scholarships because of NMSF status, but there is a fairly high correlation. So it's definitely a good thing.</p>
<p>Plus, you can get the $2500 from finalist status, which, while not that much, helps. So yes, it's a good thing.</p>
<p>Causation versus correlation... Who knows whether it matters? And if Michigan doesn't need to participate, why do more selective schools like Chicago, Carleton, Oberlin and Emory participate? They really should participate to keep high achieving in-state kids home. As you know annarborchick, there a lot of schools out buying National Merit Scholars (Barrett Honors at Arizona State is actually a good program).</p>
<p>As for the $2,500 for finalist status, this is not guaranteed. There are three types of scholarships NMF receive. One is a corporate sponsored scholarship that essentially comes into play if the company your parents work for is a sponsor. The second is a college-sponsored scholarship - again, Michigan is not a sponsor so that's out. The third is direct from the National Merit organization. There are a total of about 8,200 of these three scholarships given out each year.</p>
<p>So, it sounds like if your only opportunity to get the $2,500 if you go to Michigan is the direct National Merit organization award, which, I understand, are not that easy to come by.</p>
<p>I'm assuming that you got accepted to Michigan? I'm a semifinalist, and I'm praying that helps me even get in. I wanted to designate Michigan first choice as well, but they weren't on the list.</p>
<p>yes, I got in... I had the same problem when designating a school. I ended up putting down the University of Chicago, my second choice. UChi just deferred me so I'm definitely not going there.</p>
<p>thanks for the info, SBDad... i'm really scared I won't get any money from Mich.</p>