<p>I think I've heard that if you're a NMS semifinalist, CB gives you the option of sending your scores to two colleges of your choice... but what does that mean exactly? Is it just a way to show interest in the school, or something more? Or am I wrong about this altogether?</p>
<p>You use it to show interest in colleges and to say that you were one of the few with a high enough score to get that privelege. Since colleges know you only get the chance to send it to two schools, they'll know that you are truly committed to them and it'll look highly favorable on your app to that school.</p>
<p>Some colleges state that in order to receive their National Merit scholarships, you must designate them as the first college on that form... I think that's the one anyways.. University of Arizona is this way, for example.</p>
<p>I think every college is this way</p>
<p>:( I wish I had known that half a year ago... (about scholarships). The counseling at my school is just great... super...</p>
<p>"Some colleges state that in order to receive their National Merit scholarships, you must designate them as the first college on that form."</p>
<p>Ohhh. I was under the impression that NMSC just awarded you money and you could put it toward any school? I guess that's completely wrong :(</p>
<p>How much money do you they give finalists, usually?</p>
<p>where are schools like princeton, yale, and duke on that list?</p>
<p>The form he was originally referring to is sent out in the spring of the year you took the exam just to indicate interest and has nothing to do with the indication of interest related to scholarships in the main application.</p>
<p>For the original notification, don't worry about whether or not the college gives $$ for NMF, the idea is to send your PSAT scores to schools that want students to show interest. Emory, Rice, WUSTL come to mind. My D sent hers to the later two and got an application fee waiver from Rice. Do not bother sending scores to ivies and the like as they don't track interest and have so many highly qualified students, many of which are NMF, that the score is wasted on them. If you're looking at a school but won't be able to visit, sending PSAT scores is a good way to let them know you're interested.</p>
<p>You will be asked again to designate schools in fall of your senior year and will have until May to make a final designation of a NMS school. This early designation is a "chip" that should be used wisely to show schools interest.</p>