Quick Reply Needed ASAP!

Parents Forum
1

<p>I need to turn in my National Merit form today (I know that if I wait any longer I’ll forget about it). Basically, I’m selecting my 2 preferences based on which one I want to go to most rather than which one gives me money. Thus, I’m definitely putting Stanford down, and I’m wavering between putting Princeton or Brown down for the 2nd choice. I was hoping that I could get some advice on this.</p>

<p>Basically, I’m definitely applying to Princeton and Brown next year. I love Princeton’s environment (I’m a suburbia girl at heart) and I love the fact that they’re changing part of their residential college system to match Yale’s more. As for Brown, I’m in love with the liberty you have in choosing classes there (no required classes, and the option to choose pass/fail for everything so I can take all those bizarre classes that don’t have anything to do with my major). Also, I will be applying to Brown’s PLME program next year, and it’s something that I would LOVE to attend, though I’ve heard that they accept everyone into PLME early decision, and thus I probably have no shot at getting in seeing as how I’m definitely applying to Stanford SCEA next year. Also, I’m slightly worried about Brown’s environment with all its infamous partying (e.g. SexPowerGod) and the whole Providence environment in general.</p>

<p>In addition, I’d like to choose whichever school I would benefit most from putting down for National Merit (I realize that doing so may still give me no possible advantage whatsoever). Anyways, I’d really appreciate some advice ASAP. Thanks!</p>

<p>(BTW, some of my most recent stats may be found here: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=187237[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=187237&lt;/a&gt;)</p>

2

<p>It really doesn’t matter at all. Put down the names of colleges that you want to receive material from. It’s great that you are a likely NM Semifinalist, but you should know that NM status doesn’t mean anything to the very top colleges like Princeton & Stanford, because most of the students who get admitted to those schools have PSAT scores in the upper ranges. NM is a big deal for many colleges - just not for the Ivies.</p>

3

<p>Instead of putting down a place like Stanford or an Ivy – all of which get tons of NM applicants, and also don’t take into account perceived interest in the college – it would be far better for you to put down a financial safety – a school that looks at interest, and is likely to give you $, and that you would be happy to attend if you had to.</p>

4

<p>I understand what you’re saying calmom, but that’s not my point. What I was wondering was hypothetically, which one would be better to put down.</p>

<p>

but there is still a chance that it would, and I’ve never once been a person to throw a possible chance away.</p>