<p>Does this standing improve your chance for admission at University of Chicago?</p>
<p>Very slightly, but it’s so common among applicants that it’s effectively rendered moot.</p>
<p>While your status won’t add a lot to your application, it can be good if you attend. In recent years, Chicago’s been sponsoring National Merit Scholarships at the rates of $1K per year for students who do not received need-based aid and $2K per year for those who do. The awards come through National Merit.</p>
<p>I was an NMSC semifinalist and got a Chicago-sponsored national merit award for 2,000 dollars this year (and each upcoming year; I’m an incoming first-year). It can’t hurt your application, but as we’re quite common, it isn’t a huge jolt to your application or a guarantee of admittance by any means.</p>