<p>Does the essay matter past the semifinalist round? If I am declared a finalist, will they look at the essay that I have already written here, or only the additional ones they will require for finalists?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Monepo, this is it. This is the only essay you will write. A “finalist,” in this case, is as far as the process goes. Some finalists receive scholarships through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, some do not. Your essay might help you win one of those scholarships. It needs to at least be serious enough that you are not tossed out of the ring entirely. </p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Okay, thanks. So there’s nothing more that I will need to complete after being a Finalist?</p>
<p>Monepo…Other than selecting your first choice school (if you haven’t already done so) and minor administrivia paperwork accepting any scholarship you might be offered, you’re pretty much done after your Semifinalist paperwork gets submitted. I’m not too familiar with the corporate scholarships though, so I guess it’s possible that some of those might require something additional but I’ve never seen anyone post anything in particular about it. If you receive an “official” NMSC scholarship (thus becoming a NM Scholar) you’ll also have to renew your scholarship each year but it’s very simple. You’ll get a notification from NMSC and you can do the renewal online in about 3 minutes.</p>
<p>Ohh, ok. I get it! Thank you both for your help! I’ll get cracking on that essay now.</p>