<p>I doubt that the admissions office is flattered enough by a National Merit first choice to accept you where they otherwise would not have. But I guess there’s no way to tell. </p>
<p>To my thinking, the only good reason for you to first-choice a school is to qualify for NM scholarships that school sponsors. </p>
<p>If you are borderline, applying early is your best bet. For selective admission schools, the acceptance criteria is usually somewhat easier early in the process. If you really wanted to get in to this school, using their early decision program, if they have one, helps because you are committing to attend if you are accepted. But that usually takes place early in the fall, and we’re way past that.</p>
<p>At this point, you might want use your first choice to guarantee some money at a second-choice school if you don’t get in at number 1.</p>