<p>
</p>
<p>Got it. Glad you clarified that. Doesn’t sound condescending whatsoever. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>As I said upthread, there’s much more to it than just test scores and you do a disservice to all those kids by insinuating that they’re one-dimensional.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Very few merit scholarships of any sort are strictly merit based. Check nearly any university website where they describe the requirements for their merit scholarships and you’ll find GPA/Test Scores are only part of the equation…usually the entering argument. The rest depends on the individual scholarship, but holistic doesn’t mean opaque. Actually, the majority of NM Scholars (5800 out of 8300) are awarded University sponsored or corporate scholarships and those are very transparent in their criteria IMO. I’ll grant you the $2500 one-time awards are something of a mystery…but so are admissions to your coveted “top tier” schools. If you want to take pot-shots at programs, there’s plenty of threads on those subjects to provide fresh targets for you.</p>
<p>Whether you choose to acknowledge or appreciate your own NMF status is your choice, but I congratulate you on achieving it nonetheless. You obviously worked hard and excelled in ALL facets of your HS studies, and you EARNED the recognition. If you think the process is “flawed” you’re entitled to your opinion, but telling students it’s “no big deal” and the scholarships they were awarded were the result of a “flawed” process is the definition of a back-handed compliment. Please Lucy…take the football and find another Charlie Brown thread to criticize.</p>
<p>Have a great day yourself!! :)</p>