Presidential Scholarship

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Maryland - College Park
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<p>@UVAUMD

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<p>From the NMSC website:</p>

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<p><a href=“http://www.nationalmerit.org/Merit_R&I_Leaflet.pdf[/url]”>http://www.nationalmerit.org/Merit_R&I_Leaflet.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>I wouldn’t hold my breath on the NMF lottery run by the National Merit Scholarship CORPORATION. Note that NMF competition results are based on the 2010 PSAT score results (vs all other 2010 PSAT test takers from your state) and not based your subsequent SAT results. So for baywood the 2300 SAT has no bearing on whether that student will make it out of the 15000 top 1% and into the semi-funded top tier .5% of test takers. It’s the PSAT score that actually tells the story. Anyone interested in their NMF possibilities need only locate their PSAT score sheet and see if their score was among the top .5% of test takers - if not, you’re totally wasting your time. </p>

<p>Don’t believe it? Read the materials extra carefully. Note that additional SAT tests are required by their rules in order to “earn scores that CONFIRM your 2010 PSAT performance”. Why is that? Why to generate more revenue for the CORPORATION of course and to keep you busy holding out false hope for a “major national scholarship”. Read their corporate speak documentation VERY carefully, observe the numerous hoops you must jump through, and then think about all the 1.5 million testing fees they take in every year. Then check their published award numbers. Each year less than one half of one percent of all test takers get “some” funding - Very few actually make it through every hoop to enjoy the benefit of the “full” $2500 award. And if you think about it, the students capable of blowing out the PSAT and subsequently receiving the full NMF $2500 are those same students least likely to need those funds as they are the same top one half of one percent of the college applicant pool that take down all the top merit scholarship funds. And no harm now to the CORPORATION if they let you change your first choice as I see now that the college sponsored Merit Scholarship award can be used only at the institution financing it - meaning UMD simply reduces student fees by $750-$2k/yr for a student population of less than 12 per graduating class or rather the top 25% of the Banner Key population. Nevertheless, UMD is way more generous with their award than the CORPORATION. </p>

<p>In 2011 the state of Maryland had just 327 semi-finalist resulting in about 180 National Merit Scholars. Does that mean 180 Maryland students received the coveted $2500 NMF scholarship? NO! Approximately 12 students from the entire state of Maryland will get the full $2.5k. Why, because just 2500 students out of a pool of 1.5 million get the “major national scholarship”. Armed with this information you can now predict from the 2011 SAT composite data tables that only a PSAT/SAT equivalent score of 2350 or better will qualify you for the actual NMF $2.5k as 2386 students received a 2350 or better. That’s just .167% of the total test taking PSAT student population. The rest get “some” award and a certificate - thanks for playing.</p>

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<p>so is the 8k to be equally distributed over four years, 2000 per year or 8000 per year?</p>

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<p>In case other folks are focusing on the sub-discussion here about National Merit Scholarship Awards, here’s a link to a thread about this topic: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/1272224-art-waiting-name-first-choice-school.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/1272224-art-waiting-name-first-choice-school.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>UVAUMD is talking about the one-time $2500 award that comes from the NMSC. However, Maryland and other sponsor schools also offer 4 year awards of between $750 and $2000 per year (the spread is based on financial need). All NM finalists get at least $750 a year, if they name UMD their first choice by the deadlines this spring. Here’s the link to Maryland’s website: [University</a> of Maryland - Scholarships](<a href=“http://www.admissions.umd.edu/finaid/scholarships.cfm]University”>http://www.admissions.umd.edu/finaid/scholarships.cfm)</p>

<p>So, the $750 to $2000 yearly award is only available to kids who are not awarded the $2500 one-time award. Oddly, the “lesser-prestigious” yearly awards can amount to more money than the one-time award, but the NMSC told me kids cannot turn down the one time award in favor of a higher cumulative yearly award.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the added topic distinction baywood.
I agree completely that UMD (the sponsoring institution) is much more generous than the CORPORATION. And anyone that is identified NMF would be foolish not to take the time to check the UMD first choice box if they think they have a remote chance of getting the additional funding.</p>

<p>BUT…
Be careful what you take away from the UMD Scholarships page on NM funds.
Nowhere do they say “all NM finalists”. They refer only to “students selected by NMSC to receive the College-Sponsored Merit Scholarship award”. Compare their carefully worded description to the NMSC annual report and you’ll come to realize that “FINALIST” get nothing. Only the finalist who are actually named “scholars” (that’s about half of the “finalist” total) are then “considered” for either the full $2.5k or “other” institutional awards (like UMD offers).</p>

<p>So, unless you heard it directly from the financial aid office of the school, and have it in writing, don’t expect that every finalist gets UMD funding by identifying UMD as a first choice. The reality is there are far fewer actual NM “scholars” than NM finalist. I’d predict that those SAT test takers who got a 2350 or better have the best odds. Below that your chances plummet as there are twice as many SAT scores between 2300 & 2350.</p>

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<p>Expected none, hoped for some…received $48,000. Thrilled! CP Scholar</p>

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<p>$32,000 scholarship. While I realize this is nothing to sneeze at, I think it’s bull that I was granted this sum of money but not admission to their honors program. One of the primary reasons I applied to UMD was for consideration for the B/K scholarship. If I’m worth $32,000 to UMD, why couldn’t I have gained admission to honors so I could’ve been looked at for their most competitive scholarship as well?</p>

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<p>^ Yes, that is weird. But then again, I find it even worse for those who got accepted into Honors and received no merit aid.
I got $20,000 over 4 years (IS), and am a CP Scholar. You and S2Support should be very happy :)</p>

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<p>Sigh
4.3W/2300 and zero scholarship.
They put me in “Global Communities” instead of honors, so I feel like I wasn’t even considered for scholarships.
Wouldn’t go, except it’s still by far the cheapest option.</p>

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<p>Honors, Engineering, In-State, 2070 sat, 31 act, great ECs, zero scholarship.</p>

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<p>CP Scholars, Accounting, OOS, 33 ACT, 4.07 GPA, great ECs, solid essays, and outstanding recs. 5k/yr</p>

<p>Definitely was hoping for a little more…</p>

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<p>2k/yr is basically nothing for oos, I’m dissapointed to say the least</p>

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<p>Honors Bioengineering, OOS, 34 ACT, 4.47 GPA, passionate and awesome ECs/essays/recs. Got 12k/year.
I am beyond ecstatic!</p>

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<p>I got 2k/year for four years oos. I am in scholars and I am honestly really happy about getting anything. Saying 2k (which will be 8k overall) is a small amount is ridiculous! Saving any money is good in my book especially since Maryland is my top choice!</p>

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<p>@ CriesandWhispers
I really wanted to get into Global Communities, but didn’t (wanna switch to Scholars? lol). I don’t think one is really better than the other. They looked at what you were passionate about through your essays, and placed you in the one they saw most fit. I really like learning about different cultures, languages, etc., but didn’t get to convey that fully in either of my essays. </p>

<p>Stats:
4.37 W, very concentrated ECs (not very well rounded), 34 ACT (converted to SAT= 2280).
Numerically, I don’t think it matters that much.</p>

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<p>32k for 4 years
4.0 gpa, 2300 sat</p>

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<p>Congrats to everyone who got a scholarship!</p>

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<p>The UMD site says scholarships will be distributed in mid-March…so it’s not over yet is it?</p>

<p>In-state, Honors, 2000 SAT, 3.98 UW, 4.6 W, EC’s, essays, recs? :(</p>

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<p>I was wondering the same thing. It’s possible that not all of the scholarships have been awarded yet, I suppose.</p>

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<p>Son received CP Scholars, 8000.00 total, 2000.00 per year. Has better offers from Clemson, South Carolina, UCONN, but we really liked UMD.</p>

<p>Don’t know what he will decide.</p>