<p>My son was notified a few weeks ago that he became a National Merit Finalist. Chicago already knew he was a Semi-Finalist. Is Finalist status something he should notify them about? Or does the school get notified automatically by National Merit? Or does it not matter since most Semi’s make Finalist?</p>
<p>being that 15/16 of semifinalists make it to finalists, I’m not exactly sure it is such a big deal, although maybe a letter to the school wouldn’t hurt</p>
<p>hahahaha I love your name bluestatewannabe. One of the features I looked for in a school was that it be in a blue state, or at least a blue area of a red state.</p>
<p>My son used that as one of his criteria too. We live in suburban Houston which is a fairly deep shade of red and he’s interested in experiencing the blues!</p>
<p>I don’t think National Merit notifies the school unless it’s the school you name as your 1st choice (on that little card you got with your semi-finalist application). You might send your admissions counselor an e-mail with any new accomplishments- but I don’t see it having much of a bearing on your application.</p>
<p>If you’re Texan, make sure you vote for Kinkey Friedman as your governer! That guy is awesome. You can’t go wrong with a Jewish cowboy.</p>
<p>that’s a great name, too.</p>
<p>Bluestatewannabe,</p>
<p>I love the name! I’m another Houstonian. Son was accepted EA to Chicago.</p>
<p>Speaking of Kinky Friedman… Several months ago, he visited my son’s school and spoke at their assembly. The kids got a chance to meet and talk informally with him as well. Son came home loaded with bumber stickers and all.</p>
<p>which suburb in Houston?</p>
<p>I actually got to see Kinky Friedman and his band (The Texas Jew Boys) play while I was a Texas resident for a couple of years about 27 years ago. Saw him again in NYC at the Lone Star Cafe. He was recently on one of the late night talk shows talking about his run for governor. does he have a chance?</p>
<p>As for the finalist info, I say send it, it can’t hurt.</p>
<p>We’re in Spring in the north part of Houston. My son has lived his whole life here. I’m very familiar with the Chicago area as I graduated from Northwestern. I think he’s leaning more toward the South side (of Chicago that is).</p>
<p>Oh, spring…I used to live there. Does your son go to a klein school?</p>
<p>Klein High School</p>
<p>whoa, even wierder</p>
<p>I went there freshmen year…</p>
<p>I might know your son, although given Klein’s size, I might not.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if the NM money is for all four years, if we choose Chicago as our first choice and end up enrolling?</p>
<p>Depends on the Type of NMSA:</p>
<p>Types of Merit Scholarship® Awards</p>
<p>Beginning in March and continuing to mid-June, NMSC notifies approximately 8,200 Finalists that they have been selected to receive a Merit Scholarship® award. Merit Scholarship awards are of three types:</p>
<p>National Merit® $2500 Scholarships
Every Finalist competes for these single payment scholarships, which are awarded on a state representational basis. Winners are selected without consideration of family financial circumstances, college choice, or major and career plans.</p>
<p>Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards
Corporate sponsors designate their awards for children of their employees or members, for residents of a community where a company has operations, or for Finalists with career plans the sponsor wishes to encourage. These scholarships may either be renewable for four years of undergraduate study or one-time awards.</p>
<p>College-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards
Officials of each sponsor college select winners of their awards from Finalists who have been accepted for admission and have informed NMSC by the published deadlines that the sponsor college or university is their first choice. These awards are renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study.</p>
<p>Cool, thanks!</p>
<p>My daughter (class of 2009) was awarded a National Merit Scholarship through the U of C that is for four years at $2000/year.</p>
<p>Using powers of deduction and intuition, I wonder if your daughter is performing in a band or ensemble at Chicago. My son is interested in continuing to pursue band in college. What has been your daughter’s experience with this at Chicago?</p>
<p>Your powers are truly potent. My daughter was deeply involved in music, playing lead alto in the Concert Jazz Ensemble and principal clarinet in the Wind Symphony in high school as well as being drum major in the marching band. She is currently playing clarinet in the U of C chamber orchestra. It is about 45 pieces, mostly strings which has performed pieces by Ives, Wagner, Beethoven, R. Vaugh Williams, etc. Their next performance is playing for the production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Yeoman of the Guard. She enjoys the group and really likes her conductor who is working on his masters at Northwestern. They hold auditions after school starts in the fall and students are placed in groups based on the auditions. Her plan is to major in anthropolgy at this point, but wanted to stay involved with music.</p>