What do you do after finalist stage? - Page 2

besjbo · 02-11-2012, 07:30 PM

Along the line of performersmom's question, what are the chances of a finalist receiving any money if he or she is not the child of an employee of one of the corporate sponsors, and if his or her school is also not a sponsor college?

To put it in more concrete terms, Umich is my first-choice school, and I've already been accepted there. I'm in-state, but costs might still be a bit out of our range (we haven't yet received a specific fin-aid package).

Since Umich itself offers nothing for NMSF finalists, should I put another school (in my case, Case Western, to which I've been admitted, and which is more likely to offer something for finalist standing) as my first choice, just in case the cost of Umich seems too high?

mom2collegekids · 02-11-2012, 08:05 PM

Along the line of performersmom's question, what are the chances of a finalist receiving any money if he or she is not the child of an employee of one of the corporate sponsors, and if his or her school is also not a sponsor college?

Very few corporate sponsors give anything to students who aren't employees' children. the few that do give them to unusual majors.

To put it in more concrete terms, Umich is my first-choice school, and I've already been accepted there. I'm in-state, but costs might still be a bit out of our range (we haven't yet received a specific fin-aid package).

Since Umich itself offers nothing for NMSF finalists, should I put another school (in my case, Case Western, to which I've been admitted, and which is more likely to offer something for finalist standing) as my first choice, just in case the cost of Umich seems too high?

UMich promises to meet need for instate students, right? So, if you can't afford UMich, then that means your EFC is unaffordable. If that's the case then it's unlikely Case would be affordable....besides, I don't think Case meets need....and the scholarship money would go towards "need"...NOT towards EFC.

If you're worried that you might not have an affordable school, then I suggest that you quickly apply to a school that will still award very large merit for NMF status. Remaining costs will be low....probably far lower than your FAFSA EFC.

have you figured out what your FAFSA EFC might be? (and does UMich use CSS as well)?

karaokemachine · 02-11-2012, 11:10 PM

I'm a finalist this year. I've already been rejected by my first-choice school, but I haven't heard back from any of my other schools. USC and Rice, both of which I've applied to give college-sponsored awards. Should I change my first-choice school to USC or Rice? I, however, don't think I'll end up going to either, so would choosing one of them as my first-choice school decrease my chances of getting the National Merit $2500 award or a corporate-sponsored award?

MD Mom · 02-11-2012, 11:14 PM

What should you do after being notified you made finalist? Update your resume. You get to keep that award on your resume for a long, long time if you want to. Congrats!

The corporate and NMC awards are not tied to school choice, karaoke machine. If you get one, you have to tell NMC where to send the check.

batfan · 02-11-2012, 11:38 PM

Is it worth updating colleges (Ivies, top LACs, etc) about Finalist status?

MD Mom · 02-12-2012, 12:25 PM

Bat fan, it is probably not necessary because of the percentage of kids who make finalist. If you have good enough grades that you are applying to top tier schools, the assumption is you will make finalist.

turtlelover · 02-13-2012, 01:29 PM

dramadad- I couldn't agree with you more. The process could be simplified! They shouldn't post information that school principals are sent the information on the 1st (like they don't let you know about the rejection letters) and instead just let you know that they mail them to your house on the 8th (or mail them all out the same day). Looking over the past two year's CC messages it seems like most schools either don't get them or simply don't let the kids know in a timely manner. Yes, it is still a wonderful honor but the suspense really made getting the letter a bit anticlimactic. D still hasn't heard from her school even though she got her letter on the 11th.

M2CK- Yes, THANK YOU for all of your advice! Reading that the rejection letters were sent in January really helped ease the waiting in that you knew the NMF letter was probably coming but you simply can't count on it until you officially hear.

Also- Thank you to whoever it was that posted the state cut off numbers and all of the information about what/which schools offer $ to NMF's. All of that information was SO helpful!!!!

performersmom- I wondered about the GAP year too. From what I have read, it sounds like if you do a GAP year then you lose your $. That is too bad because I think everyone should have to do a GAP year before starting college as I think it would help them be more focused on what they want to do in life (or not do).
Even though top school choice doesn't offer any NMF $, you should still list it with NM as they need to know that you are going to an accredited school in order to offer you any $.

besjbo- the NMS award is so minimal that I can't imagine that it would really make a difference for you on which school you can afford. If money is that tight then I would definitely recommend finding that site that lists the schools that offer the all or almost free ride if you are a NMF!

Congrats to all and best of luck. You should all be very proud!

mom2collegekids · 02-13-2012, 01:53 PM

What should you do after being notified you made finalist? Update your resume. You get to keep that award on your resume for a long, long time if you want to. Congrats!

==========

Aint that the truth!!

When my son was applying for a paid summer internship, he didn't want to put his NMF status on his resume. He felt that was too "high school". I insisted that he include it under "Awards".

well, after he was hired, he was told that he was given a much higher salary solely based on his NMF status. lol

(Moms are always right...when are they going to learn that!?!

)

menloparkmom · 02-13-2012, 02:19 PM

so would choosing one of them as my first-choice school decrease my chances of getting the National Merit $2500 award or a corporate-sponsored award?

Notifying NMSF earlier will not make a difference. If college you actually decide to go to does not sponsor NMF and your parents company does, you should expect to get the corporate award.

thenewgurl · 02-13-2012, 02:41 PM

I'm not planning on going to any of the schools offering scholarships to NMFs. I put UCLA as my 1st choice school in hopes that it may up my chances at UCLA. Anyone know if this even helps?

menloparkmom · 02-13-2012, 02:45 PM

no it wont.

turtlelover · 02-13-2012, 04:43 PM

M2CK- Love it! Believe it or not, my D actually has admitted a few times that I usually am right.
NMF is an accomplishment that you have forever. After asking her English teacher to write a rec. for her, D later found out in a conversation that he was a NMF. I think it is great that he is in his 40's, has lots of other accomplishments in his life but still considers this a big honor.

MD Mom · 02-13-2012, 04:53 PM

Hey, I love to tell people that Bill Gates was a NMS. Just like my kid.

mom2collegekids · 02-13-2012, 05:17 PM

Karoakemachine quote:

I'm a finalist this year. I've already been rejected by my first-choice school, but I haven't heard back from any of my other schools. USC and Rice, both of which I've applied to give college-sponsored awards. Should I change my first-choice school to USC or Rice? I, however, don't think I'll end up going to either, so would choosing one of them as my first-choice school decrease my chances of getting the National Merit $2500 award or a corporate-sponsored award?

=========

You need to wait for a bit until you decide....unless a school requires you to pick.

It shouldn't make a difference in regards to the corporate money. My son chose a school that gives huge NMF money, but he still was awarded the corporate one.

menloparkmom · 02-13-2012, 07:10 PM

"It shouldn't make a difference in regards to the corporate money. My son chose a school that gives huge NMF money, but he still was awarded the corporate one."

I'll bet your son was awarded a big separate scholarship offered by the school to NMF's as an incitement to get them to matriculate there. The NM corporate scholarship was the only one actually administered by NMSF. He would have not received both NM corporate sponsored and NM college sponsored scholarships.