National Merit Scholar

[Anonymous]

Is being a NMS finalist an advantage when it comes to college admissions? Based on what we know from last year, several kids we know that made to the semi-finalist stage did not want to put in the effort to become a finalist. Their parents were vague about "not being worth it" but didn't want to explain further.

Seems odd to me. Why wouldn't it be worth it? Won't colleges look at that as an additional qualifier of scholastic ability?

DC has the scores in the PSAT this year we think DC has a fair shot at becoming a semifinalist (top 16,000). Don't want to waste time in pursuing to be a finalist if not worth it.. Looking for advice.. I realize that this is something to worry about in the Fall but want to get our heads around it sooner if possible.

[Anonymous]

Not much to do between NMSF to NMF, I'd definitely do it. From college admin perspective, not much benefit at top tier schools but more meaningful benefits at lower tier schools. it's an honor of lifetime regardless.

- 3 NMF/NMS winner family

[Anonymous]

Some bigger schools give scholarships for NM Finalists, and the NM program awards a small percentage of finalists relatively small scholarships.

[Anonymous]

Maybe they meant that being a Finalist isn't that big a deal in terms of scholarships, unless you go to the small number of schools that give free rides to Finalists. I would say that just getting to the NMSF stage is a big honor.

[Anonymous]

Some schools will sponsor a small NM scholarship to any NMF that applies. My experience is very old, but I don't remember there being any actual paperwork involved in going from NMSF to NMF. You just take the SAT to "confirm" your high PSAT score.

[Anonymous]

What effort do you have to put into being a Finalist? I thought it was just based on your PSAT and SAT scores. Wouldn't most students who took the PSAT be taking the SAT anyway?

I think it's an advantage -- and particularly an advantage for students who don't attend private schools or well-known public schools. It's a score that attests to this particular student's "merit" on a national scale when they don't have the advantages that would go along with having had a more resourced educational experience.

[Anonymous]

I think an essay is involved from semi finalist to finalist.

Lots of schools do not offer merit for NFF. If you are accepted to your first choice and it's one of those schools, it's moot.

[Anonymous]

It is a very easy application. One essay and kid could almost cut and paste a college ap essay. But I don’t think there is that big a difference between the semi and finalist level, and more importantly it doesn’t have any impact on college applications (if I remember the timing correctly) as the finalist results aren’t announced until long after applications are in.

[Anonymous]

Definitely worth it, regardless of negligible admissions impact. My kid got The $2500 and I was very pleased to receive that credit on the first bill. Little to lose.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone for your responses!

[Anonymous]

The final step requires an essay. Almost all schools give the $2500 a year.

Interestingly, my NMS daughter got into 6 top 25 schools. She continues to be waitlisted at Northeastern which offers 40K to every NMS. Guessing that is why? Or yield protection because also waitlisted at Michigan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The final step requires an essay. Almost all schools give the $2500 a year.

Interestingly, my NMS daughter got into 6 top 25 schools. She continues to be waitlisted at Northeastern which offers 40K to every NMS. Guessing that is why? Or yield protection because also waitlisted at Michigan.

Yeah, I heard the same thing about USC waitlisting NMFs

[Anonymous]

The $79k school my daughter likes only gives $500 per year

[Anonymous]

"Is being a NMS finalist an advantage when it comes to college admissions?"

Neither NMSF nor NMF are an advantage for admissions. The admissions bump is about a student's SAT/ACT score.

Just try getting into a selective college with a 223 PSAT selection index and even a 1490 SAT score.

Some schools collect NMF so they offer extra merit aid to NMF but that is AFTER admissions.

[Anonymous]

NMF gets you a full ride at some schools, including the [out-of-]state flagship I attended. If your kid is considering grad or professional school, getting a free undergrad education is no small advantage.