<p>Schools like Cornell don’t give merit scholarships. I’m not sure if MIT or CMU do either. If they do, they probably only give them to a few students with perfect stats who they particularly want.</p>
<p>The top ranked schools that give merit, do not give assured merit. They give their few merit scholarships to a few targeted students that they want.</p>
<p>If you need financial aid, do you know if your family qualifies? Do you know if your family can pay their expected family contribution?</p>
<p>How much will your parents pay each year?</p>
<p>FA Calc
[FinAid</a> | Calculators | Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and Financial Aid](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Calculator - Finaid)
Do both the federal method and institutional methods for figuring family contribution. Many privates use the both methods. If there is a non-custodial parent, then their income (and step-parent incomes) might also be included at some schools.</p>
<p>If you need money to attend college, then be sure to apply to a couple of schools that will give you assured BIG merit for your stats. Otherwise, you may find yourself in a situation where the school expects you/your family to pay more than it can afford.</p>