@parentologist my D did not make NMF either, she made commend. Also has 36 ACT and 1590 SAT and top 1% class rank. We are chasing merit. Major will be Electrical Engineering. D is only applying to BAMA, Mississippi State and our local school Texas Tech. Our needs for merit require at minimal full tuition and really need more. Have not found any competitive schools that make it financially doable for us. Best of luck to you and your son.