Yes.
I assume so – I’ve heard 90% become finalists. I think a large part of that other 10% may just not bother with the application if they’re applying to schools that give no merit aid for it.
My child is a National Merit semi-finalist for 2026 and submitted their portion of the application. However, we just learned that the school has not yet submitted the school recommendation. The wording on the letter my child received says that everything must be submitted by October 8th, so we are freaking out a little bit here. Can the school still submit this tomorrow? Is the deadline midnight on October 8th or is it essentially tonight?
(Just realized I posted this question in the wrong spot. Mods please feel free to clise my other thread.)
I closed it.
I don’t know, but I assume October 8 means they still have tomorrow to do it. I would call someone in the National Merit organization first thing in the morning and explain the situation, then show up at the school to ensure it gets done! (Squeaky wheel gets the grease, as they say.)
I would be livid if my child missed out on a potential scholarship because the school couldn’t get it together – especially if you’re considering one of the full rides!
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Our school called and received an extension until 10/31
Have them call (847) 866-5161 from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Central Time
Good luck!
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Whirlwind trip (flew in after school Friday, got in at 7 am vis red eye and got to scholar’s day by 8.30 and flee out Monday after national merit tour and arrived midnight tuesday) to check out The University of Texas at Dallas - just in time for the direct train (5 minutes walk from campus) opening linking DFW to UTD in less than 45 minutes. We attended 2 events - the large group scholar day the day we flew in, which is a good overview, but some of what is presented is a bit different for NMSF/honor kids so the one on one tour on Monday clarified some details. This is because the Collegium V honor kids get priority registration and no need to schedule in person meeting with advisor, but there is a separate honors orientation in August. we met with 4 NMF who are current students, all seem happy with varying priorities: 2 are big gunners taking 19 credit hours per semester (the 2 were also kids who started with 15+ AP classes), the other 2 were involved in campus activities and life. Definitely a university where you have to choose what you prefer in terms of socializing and not a big busy football-culture type college but my son said to him that is a plus not a minus. There are extra requirements for individual honors program - Collegium V and Davidson (for business majors) but most are good for life/career development. for example the need to attend 2-3 events for the honors, ie go for an opera or symphony or dance with the Collegium V cohort or attend a career development talk or open table for Davidson honors. All Collegium V honor students also get 2 free tickets to attend opera or symphony or dance - this is sponsored by the Margaret Mcdermott foundation (spouse of one of the founders of TI), lots of career opportunities for the honor kids. Nice 3 single rooms in an apartment in their freshman dorms with a shared kitchen in the lobby. Ranks quite high on my son’s list, but may not be the best fit if a student is looking for a large sports and rah-rah college. Managed to take a side trip to the Dallas Arts Museum, Samurai Museum and Kyle Warren Park, easy to get to with train/bus.
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This is such good info, thank you so much for sharing!
We are really torn, because UTD has a perfect major for my D26, and she doesn’t really care anything about sports – but she’s such a band kid that she would want at least a little “rah rah” atmosphere, plus a large pep band – if she decides she doesn’t want to march in college.
(Alabama is another that offers the NMF full ride, but last year something like 750 students auditioned for 400 spots in the marching band, and that doesn’t work for my kid at all – way too big and too competitive.)
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I would definitely recommend a visit in person if you can and get the national merit one on one with the students and honors college team.
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Did your son apply to UTD and get an acceptance? My daughter applied quite awhile ago, but she’s heard nothing back at all – which is odd? I thought they had rolling admission.
yes, we waited for our official transcript to be sent via mail (from rural Oregon!) so it took about 1.5 weeks but he got accepted very quickly once all the documents are in like within a day or so. they seem very accommodating of all NMSFs - perhaps email admissions or the national merit office?
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Huh, that’s so odd that we haven’t heard back, then! Her portal just says “reviewing.”
Did your son already list UTD as his first choice school with National Merit?
no we have not listed any schools in the national merit application, we are waiting on other acceptances from non traditional national merit schools on an off chance he may qualify for stamps or other full rides, he got into Tamu but is a bit concerned about the large student population (though I told him honors college for engineering is 20-30 kids per their online brochure), alabama (applying for randalls research), Tulsa - but now thinks it may be too difficult to get to. UTD said we have till May 1 to list them, and we are of course waiting on the finalist announcements in February. he is not even sure about his major right now - with all the job downsizing we are seeing - toss up between engineering vs business (accounting major) with AI/CS type minor.
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Her acceptance to UTD finally came yesterday! So weird that it took so long.
In the meantime, she was accepted to the Pitt honors college with some decent merit aid, and we’re waiting on three or four other programs that she’s highly interested in. I think she’s more likely to attend a school with a big marching/pep band and a location she prefers over UTD.
Which is too bad, because UTD’s scholarship and academic programs are pretty great.
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oh yay! yes, definitely very different vibe at UTD vs other traditional colleges with a big pep band (which is totally not my son’s thing). they did welcome us with a small UTD band on scholar’s day: Pep Band - Bass School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology | The University of Texas at Dallas
good luck with the entire college application game - is this your first? S26 is my oldest and I have another kid S28 who just did his 10th grade PSAT and I have another D32 so I get to do all this over again in a few years lol. My husband and I are trying to get my kid to visit at least another 1-2 colleges.
FYI to those who applied to UTD: the portal did update confirming full tuition for NMSF (without any email or mail notifications).
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Where in the portal was this posted? My kid cannot find it.
under financial aid
Interesting. Nothing pops up yet for my kid. Thanks!