Last weekend my daughter found out that she is a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. We were wondering if this was worth reporting to her RD and deferred-EA colleges that do not sponsor scholarships based on NMSC standings?
We have heard mixed opinions from friends, so wanted to get some thoughts from this group.
Some say it’s definitely worth reporting because only 1% of students become finalists, and particularly in a state like NJ which has a high cut-off mark, it’s a notable achievement and therefore worth letting colleges know.
Others say this is primarily based on stats, which the colleges already have so reporting this isn’t going to change anything.
If she was deferred and you have a chance to “add” voice to her file for something that’s impactful - then heck yeah!! Anything to give her a chance toward acceptance is something you should report.
Colleges brag about how many they have on their campus - so I would certainly inform the AO in a secondary LOCI assuming you submitted the first.
And as a parent - if money matters to you- you can still get apps into some schools that will pay your tuition and give you free room for FIVE years + other monies. Bama has the most in the country (900+) - and others have great programs as well - so it may not be too late to cash in if you were so inclined - run a google search.
I agree she should tell her AO…directly via email if they already have a relationship, and/or via the portal if it has a way to communicate updates. There is no downside to communicating this info. Congratulations on NMF, and good luck on college decisions.
My D does not have an existing relationship except with 1 AO. I’ll ask her to check the portal and/or write to the AOs with this update.
Ha ha Money always matters (currently looking at full pay at all her colleges including the Ivies - so any merit aid is always welcome). Will talk to my daughter to see if any of these programs might be a fit. Thank you.
You can start with - honey, one day mom and I will be old.
Do you want to support us in the assisted living facility because we can’t support ourselves - we spent $350K on your college when you could have had 5 years of tuition (so including some of masters) and housing + an annual extra stipend at Bama.
Or do you want to go to Bama (or similar) and have an inheritance
Kidding - obviously you’ll make the best decision for your family.
Hopefully it doesn’t get to that - but i think many people over stretch themselves.
I’m sure there was a lot of nervous families this past week with the stock market drop - volatility is never easy on the nerves.
And with interest rates likely getting jacked up in the next year, I think a lot of families are really going to have to stretch themselves more than they realize.
Money always matters (currently looking at full pay at all her colleges including the Ivies - so any merit aid is always welcome). Will talk to my daughter to see if any of these programs might be a fit. Thank you.
