<p>Check the website. It gives several notification dates when schools will be notified. And check YOUR individual school. My D asked her top two choice schools, those where she might get some money based on NMF. BOTH of them seemed a little confused as to what we meant when we asked about THEIR deadline to name them as first choice school. With further prodding, they also both said that it’s the LAST NMF deadline (May 31 or close to that). So my D does not have to list her first choice until she knows where she’s been admitted, and wants to go. But all colleges aren’t like that. I don’t know how anyone could name a first choice school before knowing if they’re even going to be accepted? I THINK this is MOSTLY not as big an issue as it FEELS like. It’s VERY confusing. But we just have the yellow card taped to the desk in our office so she doesn’t forget.</p>
<p>Barfly - yes, one or two nice surprises. At NYU…National Merit kids get very little money, but TWO TRIPS! As a freshman and sophomore, one domestic and one international (I can’t tell if Italy is EVERY year or was just last year’s selection), at…oh…$300 or so! And, at our state uni, there is a large (and stackable) scholarship for in state kids only,that “gives preference to National Merit finalists”. With the other scholarships a typical NMF would get at this school, it amounts to a full ride. That was a NICE surprise and will probably swing her to have to accept it to due finances. Awfully hard to say no to free. But it’s not guaranteed, so we’ll see.</p>