<p>What effect does listing an ivy league-type college as one of your two top choices for the nmsc college referral? I was wondering which two to do. I was thinking harvard and princeton, but harvard’s already going to send me an application booklet this summer (i got something in the mail from them after i sent them my 800 sat II math 2 score sophomore year). If naming harvard as one of my top two isn’t going to have an effect, wouldn’t it be better to name a backup school like university of chicago?
Another thing: the nmsc website says a person can qualify as both a nat’l merit and nat’l achievement scholar. Do i get to choose four colleges then;)</p>
<p>Pick a school that sponsors National Merit awards (the Ivy schools don’t). If a school that does NOT sponsor NMS awards accepts you, you receive a general NMSC, and you decide to attend the non-sponsoring college, you can take your $2500 one-time award with you. If not, you might be able to snag big money from the sponsoring school you listed as first choice.</p>