<p>"Merit-Based Scholarships
Macalester offers several special scholarships that are based on academic merit rather than financial need. </p>
<p>With the exception of the National Merit Scholarship (which requires a special procedure), you will automatically be considered for merit-based aid when you apply for admission to Macalester. Merit-based scholarships are awarded for a four-year period. If you qualify, you may receive need-based financial aid in addition to these scholarships. </p>
<p>Macalester College National Merit Scholarships are awarded to National Merit Finalists who have designated Macalester as their first-choice college and have been offered admission. The annual award is $5,000 ($2,000 from the National Merit Scholarship Competition and $3,000 from Macalester in the form of a DeWitt Wallace Distinguished Scholarship). </p>
<p>DeWitt Wallace Distinguished Scholarships are awarded on a highly competitive basis to some students who are National Merit Semifinalists, Commended Students and Finalists who are not awarded a National Merit Scholarship. Recipients typically rank in the top five percent of their high school graduating class. The annual award is $3,000. The scholarship is named for DeWitt Wallace '11, founder of Reader’s Digest, who was a longtime benefactor of Macalester."
<a href=“http://www.macalester.edu/financialaid/merit.html[/url]”>http://www.macalester.edu/financialaid/merit.html</a></p>
<p>My chances STILL don’t look good :(. Crossing my fingers though…Does anyone know about how many people get the DeWitt scholarship?</p>