@EdgeoftheDark thanks for that input.
I think USC (South Carolina) and Clemson may be on his list. From your other replies it looks like you are a NMF. What can you tell me about the schools in South Carolina, and in general your college search, especially out of state schools, with the National Merit badge? Have you decided where you will attend?
Do you have any sense for what they were looking for at NC State in Park Scholars? Is it largely a holistic review, or are high stats a more important criteria?