@garamxmasala …so I called NMF and spoke in detail regarding the process…
She told me that they release your choice of first school that you choose 4 times starting March 1st till May 1st the final deadline to choose 1st choice of school.
She told me they will notify only the school that you selected as first choice the 4 times they send out til May 1st after that your choice is final and will be known to all.
Example:
School X and School Y requires you to make them first choice to get Scholarship by March 1st or any specific date.
School X wants you to make them first choice by March 1st, for some kinda a scholarship…then go ahead and choose that School X…On March 1st, NMF will ONLY send that School X that you have chosen them as first choice and School Y will not know that you have chosen School X as your first choice. After the fisrt round of notification done by NMF on March 1st…you can go back at NMF website and change to School Y as your first choice and ONLY School Y will be notified around March 15th that they are chosen as first choice by you.
NMF told me they understand and will never sabotage a student from getting scholarship or college admission.
For more info call NMF at (847)886-5161…they will explain you more if needed.
Also read “Requirements and instructions for Semifinalist” - has same details
https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/interior.aspx?sid=1758&gid=2&pgid=401