@BelknapPoint
I am not sure I understand your question? Just because some schools have automatic merit doesn’t mean other schools are using that strategy.
Of the 10 schools on my kid’s list, two have automatic merit. The rest have either competitive merit scholarships or mysterious merit awards based on the whims of the admissions folks.
I am most concerned with the schools my kid is interested in. If she was wanted to go to big schools, this would be a much easier process. The list we have has been curated to accomodate the fact that she identifies as LGBT (which eliminates many options including religious schools or schools in places we have concerns about her safety/wellbeing). We have also researched the admitted classes of T10 law schools to make sure the schools on her list are rigorous enough if law school is the route she decides to go. Cross checking that with merit aid, leaves a fairly limited list of LAC options.