<p>I just happened across this entry on Wikipedia regarding the University of Florida:</p>
<p>"The university recently determined that National Merit Scholars are burdensome to UF's image as a center of academic excellence. Perhaps that explains why National Merit Scholars, as of the Fall 2007 term, are no longer being offered a competitive academic scholarship upon enrolling at UF. In past years, the university heavily recruited National Merit Scholars by offering $5500 per academic year in scholarships, as well as a single $2000 research stipend for summer study. That scholarship package has now been reduced to $1000 per year plus a single $1000 research stipend.</p>
<p>Since other universities in the Florida public education system offer far better deals to National Merit Scholars (notably University of South Florida in Tampa, which offers National Merit Scholars $10,000 per academic year), this drastic reduction of financial incentives for top students to attend the University of Florida is puzzling. It is speculated by some that UF's administration prefers to ride the wave of popularity brought on by recent athletic success, focusing on building a reputation as a jock school rather than a research school."</p>
<p>Wow! So I went searching on UF's website for more information and all I could find was this:</p>
<p>"The University of Florida participates in the National Merit Scholarship Program and guarantees that all students who qualify as finalists and name the University of Florida as their college of first choice will receive a substantial financial award. National Merit Scholarship finalists work with the director of the Honors Program to establish the academic year and area in which they will participate. In addition, all out-of-state finalists who name UF as their college of first choice will have their out-of-state fees waived."</p>
<p>Maybe I'm late to the party but I didn't know anything about this change in practice, and my own son is entering his 3rd year of enjoying a UF National Merit finalist scholarship! What really shocks me is the statement that UF finds its National Merit scholars "burdensome" to its image. With Wikipedia I guess you never know where these statements originate, but still!</p>
<p>A quick Google found nothing to support the Wiki article, which makes me think that someone is pulling everyone's leg. Anyway, it doesn't hurt universities to have lots of NM scholars. Having lots of high quality students help colleges be perceived as universities of excellents.</p>
<p>I hope you're right. I'm going up there next weekend with S for a Hispanic/Latino recruitment weekend so I will be sure to ask. </p>
<p>I know that they have removed the info regarding the $5500/year NM scholarship from the UF admissions pages, however. The way they have phrased the bit that I quoted above makes me believe that the new policy is still under discussion.</p>
<p>You could always e-mail or call them and find out. If you do, please post what they say.</p>
<p>Wikipedia has no editors. Anyone who is bored or something could write up something in wikipedia which is just like total hogwash and whanot, eh? Call your uni and get the lowdown, or better yet, go to the uni web site and find out who to email so you have stuff in writing.</p>
<p>Apparently it's true - another poster in the "Numbers Based Scholarships for c/o 2007" thread above mentioned it, too. I am contacting UF anyway, just to get the whole scoop. I'm really curious about the reasons for their sudden change in policy.</p>
<p>The wikipedia entry coud have been submitted by an FSU student!!! Be carefull putting too much stock in it just yet.</p>
<p>Patsmom - your son will keep his scholarship at $5500/year. You guys signed a contract. However, from c/o 2011 and on, they have cut it down to $1,000 per year. They announced it at their weekend where they invited rising-seniors-who-will-probably-be-NMF last weekend. They said the program was too successful, and they simply couldnt afford it anymore. It's still the best deal for anyone in-state. Bright futures + top 50 school + nice campus + good social life/football team. Not bad.</p>
<p>ExRunner- Thanks for the confirmation. I was pretty sure it was true even though it was on Wiki, but I'm still surprised. That's quite a huge downgrade. I know my son's contract will protect him but I feel bad for the kids who were counting on it.</p>
<p>I am one of them(rising hs senior). I wish they had cut it down more gradually, or told us more than a year ahead of time.</p>
<p>While it apparently is possible that a couple of FSU students are directing Admissions affairs at UF, at least in the minds of some, it is not happening this time.</p>
<p>This string illustrates well how universities 'buy' (in the terms of one admissions officer) national merit scholars to create a halo effect for the university doing the spending. Other NM kids see the NM numbers creep up and begin to think 'hmmm, other NM kids are going there, I might as well too. There must be something really good at xxx university.'</p>
<p>The universities must see this as an advertising expense. However, if the university spends a lot, then it must be serious about recruiting NM kids. Therefore, on the books of the school it would be a 'serious' advertising expense.</p>
<p>Just a muse...</p>