<p>My D was a National Achievement & National Merit Finalist for this academic year and a member the National Honor Society at her school. What Hotpiece101 implied is correct all this must be package with a very high gpa in a rigorous high school curriculum and excellent SAT I and/or ACT scores. As an example my D has a 4.4 gpa with 10 honors classes and 9 APs, two of which she self studies, from a well regarded high school which sends students to the elite colleges on a regular basis. New SAT I score 2130 which is ~ 32 ACT. She applied to 13 schools, D made no assumptions, had both academic and financial safety schools:</p>
<p>D's College Application Results
Spring 2007</p>
<ol>
<li> Yale University – attending - regular need based financial aid received @ 40% of EFC due to special circumstance <a href="no%20loans,%20work%20study%20or%20student%20contribution%20due%20to%20renewable%20local%20outside%20scholarships%20and%20the%20one%20time%20$2,500%20National%20Achievement%20Scholarship">H lost his job</a></li>
<li> University of Cincinnati - Full Ride, Academic Scholarship = Cincinnatus Scholar</li>
<li> Miami of OH - Full Ride, Academic Scholarship = Harrison Scholar</li>
<li> Kenyon College - Academic Scholarships = Diversity Scholarship & Swartz Scholar (no loans) + need based aid = all but S1,600 covered</li>
<li> Fisk University - Academic Presidential Scholarship Award, Full Ride</li>
<li> Spelman College - Academic Presidential Scholarship Award, Full Ride</li>
<li> Agnes Scott - $20K Annually, Presidential Award Merit Scholarship</li>
<li> Mt. Holyoke - $30K Annually Merit Scholarship</li>
<li> Bryn Marw - regular need based financial aid received upto EFC</li>
<li>Wellesley - regular need based financial aid received upto EFC</li>
<li>Swarthmore - regular need based financial aid received upto EFC + Swarthmore Scholar = no student loans</li>
<li>Washington University in St. Louis - Ervin Scholar, 4 year full tuition + 3 year match to the National Achievement Scholarship of $2,500</li>
<li>Tufts University - regular need based financial aid received upto EFC + Balfour Scholar = no student loans.</li>
</ol>
<p>Note that D had excellent EC including a Varsity letter in scoccer, a county wide leadership position, excellent recommendations and is extroverted.</p>
<p>Check out Howard University, great scholarships for National Achievement Scholars.</p>