<p>so wait, if you're a national merit finalist, do you pretty much automatically get a half tuition scholarship, or is it selective?</p>
<p>does anyone know how/if it is possible to change your nm first choice college designation once you're named a finalist</p>
<p>you send in a written request or fax it.</p>
<p>If you're a National Merit Finalist and name USC as your first choice school you automatically become a Presidential Scholar, no interview required. You can change your first choice college any time up until a certain date, I don't remember what it is, but I think it's some time in April or May. This is what I did last year once I decided where I wanted to go to school. You should have gotten a card with your NMF application in order to change your college choice.</p>
<p>Is it really automatic? Although USC is my first choice, if I don't get that Presidential scholarship there is no way I can pay for it. (High EFC+Frugal Parents=Screwed)...I just don't want to leave USC as my first choice and then find out I didn't get the scholarship, especially when my 2nd and 3rd choices offer full rides for NMFs.</p>
<p>Just got the letter today...
if you're unsure about 1st choice you need to let them know before April 19.</p>
<p>To be in the first group reffered to your school you need to report it by March 1st but you can report it up to May 319( the date they recieve it)</p>
<p>If you are a NMF and choose USC, you do get the half-tuition scholarship for sure. At least that's my understanding.</p>
<p>all the above information is correct ... a NMF who chooses USC as their first choice does get a half-tuition scholarship ... however, just in case someone was wondering, schaolships to do not stack or add up ... therefore if you get the NM scholarship to USC ... and you are given the Presidential Scholarship through the interview process, you will only get a half-tuition scholarship ... but if you have been asked to interview for the presidential, you should still go to the interview, b/c there are several people every year who get bumper up to Trustee from the presidential interview</p>