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Class of 2020 National Merit Discussion

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Replies to: Class of 2020 National Merit Discussion

  • acaplaacapla 25 replies2 threads Junior Member
    The UTD scholarship package is for NM Finalists (not just Scholars).
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  • ebh87ebh87 199 replies7 threads Junior Member
    @janiemiranda My dd is looking at UTD for comp. science, too!

    @3scoutsmom - for UTD's National Merit program, are you automatically in the NMF program if you make it to finalist or is it competitive?
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  • 3scoutsmom3scoutsmom 5655 replies338 threads Senior Member
    yes, if you make finalist the NM program is automatic/ not competitive at UTD. The honors program is "space available" and you have to request to join, if you wait too long you might not get in. The honor class are capped at small sizes.

    Another interesting thing about UTD is they really push getting to know your professors, they have a fund set up where you can take you proff out to lunch or dinner and they will reiburse you for the meal!
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  • ebh87ebh87 199 replies7 threads Junior Member
    Thank you! Even though it's far, I hope that my dd wants to attend UTD. It sounds like a good fit for her and it's such a good financial opportunity.
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  • GTAustinGTAustin 1235 replies9 threads Senior Member
    My DD has been at UTD for 3 years on the NM scholarship package. She was in Comp Sci for the first 1.5 years and then switched to cognitive science. She enjoys the school, the perks, just about everything. It has been a great experience for her.
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  • mathKidsmathKids 259 replies3 threads Junior Member
    @3scoutsmom Thank you for the information on the honors program. I noticed UTD is very generous when it comes to AP credits and that the credits can be applied towards the core requirements. My son also has a few DE credits which would hopefully transfer as well. Small core or heavy use of APs towards the core is on the top of his "must" list. A few schools were already crossed of his list because of too many general ed requirements. I also noticed that UTD satisfies some of the general ed requirements with classes that are tied to STEM like "Social Issues and Ethics in Computer Science and Engineering". Another plus in his (and mine) book.

    The "space available" part of the honors program is surprising. I assume/hope one has to satisfy at least certain criteria to get in. Priority registration is a really nice perk. From what I hear, being able to register for selected classes can be quite an issue for computer science majors at many schools.
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  • hm1101hm1101 32 replies3 threads Junior Member
    My daughter got a 222 in Oregon so she has a good chance. She has already visited Oregon State and wants to apply for the Honors College. She likes it there and we feel good about it. She plans to study a STEM field, but isn’t sure which one yet. For a variety of reasons, staying in state is a good thing for her. Any tips from others how to get the in state schools that don’t offer the huge NM scholarships to offer other scholarships? I know with OSU they have some automatic merit scholarships- but they are nothing like a full ride. Thx!
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  • lkg4answerslkg4answers 1999 replies219 threads Senior Member
    @3scoutsmom this "take a prof to dinner" program must be popular. We've heard about it at several schools we toured.

    Since you have experience with NM kids, do you know if programs see NM and leave it at that or do they evaluate a 212 differently than a 223?
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  • 3scoutsmom3scoutsmom 5655 replies338 threads Senior Member
    @mathKids of course there are requirementd for the honors program but it's not just forNational Merit kids and there is a size limit in order to kept the honors classes small.
    Incoming freshman to The University of Texas at Dallas who meet the following requirements are encouraged to apply to Collegium V:

    An SAT score of 1410 or higher (1350 or higher on critical reading and math sections taken prior to March 2016) or ACT composite score of 31 or higher
    A high school grade point average of 3.6 or class rank in the top 10%

    These are the minimum requirements to apply, National Merit kids are automatically admitted but they must request to be included in the honors program, if they wait too long and the program is already full they'll miss their chance
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  • 3scoutsmom3scoutsmom 5655 replies338 threads Senior Member
    @lkg4answers UTD sees National Merit only not PSAT scores.
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  • janiemirandajaniemiranda 512 replies24 threads Member
    The suite style rooms at UTD are they only for the honor's program?
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  • 3scoutsmom3scoutsmom 5655 replies338 threads Senior Member
    @janiemiranda all freshman dorms at UTD have the same floor plan. Upperclassman move to on campus appartments.
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  • janiemirandajaniemiranda 512 replies24 threads Member
    @3scoutsmom Great to know. Thank you!!
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  • mathKidsmathKids 259 replies3 threads Junior Member
    @3scoutsmom Thank you for the clarification!
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  • hm1101hm1101 32 replies3 threads Junior Member
    Hi all- is there a thread or someone who can tell me what the timeline is, what we need to do, what we need to make sure our school does, etc for the national merit process? My daughter does not go to a high powered high school and I don’t trust that they have much experience with this process. Thank you!
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  • amsunshineamsunshine 800 replies7 threads Member
    Here is a link to the student guide that contains an overall timeline of events: https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/images/gid2/editor_documents/student_guide.pdf?gid=2&pgid=61&sessionid=cb775b1b-10cd-4309-80b3-e5df0e9660ea&cc=1
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  • hm1101hm1101 32 replies3 threads Junior Member
    Thank you!
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  • janiemirandajaniemiranda 512 replies24 threads Member
    I've realized that FSU has the major my daughter is interested in so we are starting to look into this school further.
    I'm now confused by FSUs National Merit Scholarship award.

    On this page of their website it seems to indicate that you can receive their National Merit Finalist/Benacquisto Scholarship without proceeding to National Merit "Scholar" Status.
    https://admissions.fsu.edu/freshman/scholarships/

    But the above page tells you to go to this link for more information: https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/factsheets/FIS.pdf

    This one seems to be saying you have to have "National Merit Scholar" status as opposed to "National Merit Finalist". Am I looking at this wrong or is this conflicting information?
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  • ReebtoorReebtoor 284 replies3 threads Junior Member
    @janiemiranda The difference is that if you are named a Finalist and follow FSU's guidelines, they will offer you a NM Scholarship that thus makes you a Scholar. So, you need to be a NMF, follow the process, you will get the NM Scholarship offer, be a Scholar, and be eligible for the Benaquisto. (I.E., the school makes them a scholar).
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  • janiemirandajaniemiranda 512 replies24 threads Member
    @Reebtoor Oh, I see. Thank you so much!
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