National merit finalist data 2021 (Van: loans, how much, top schools)

[rav12]

Could anyone point me to National merit finalist 2021 data from texas please?

[jiping]

No one cares. Ivies do not accept SAT anymore because of equity.

[suzy_q2010]

Originally Posted by jiping

No one cares. Ivies do not accept SAT anymore because of equity.

It matters to those for whom it means scholarship money.

https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758...id=2&pgid=1440

[jiping]

Originally Posted by suzy_q2010

It matters to those for whom it means scholarship money.

https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758...id=2&pgid=1440

It will tickle down. While some state universities may still offer full ride to NMSF, these scholarship money will dry up in the next few years.

And who needs scholarship money anyway? If you look at Harvard, 55% of this year’s admitted class will get need-based grants, paying less than $12,000 annually. College will favor first-generation students in poor districts over privileged students in competitive districts.

[suzy_q2010]

Originally Posted by jiping

It will tickle down. While some state universities may still offer full ride to NMSF, these scholarship money will dry up in the next few years.

And who needs scholarship money anyway? If you look at Harvard, 55% of this year’s admitted class will get need-based grants, paying less than $12,000 annually. College will favor first-generation students in poor districts over privileged students in competitive districts.

Well, look at the threads here about how much people owe on loans. Every little bit helps. Not everyone will go to Harvard.

[suzy_q2010]

Originally Posted by rav12

Could anyone point me to National merit finalist 2021 data from texas please?

"NMSC does not make a news media announcement about Finalists because Semifinalists are publicly honored and approximately 15,000 of the 16,000 Semifinalists are expected to reach the Finalist level. A Semifinalist can advance to Finalist standing and be considered for a National Merit Scholarship in only one specific annual competition."

https://nationalmerit.imodules.com/s...80b4670b6&cc=1

[20Hope20]

Money or not, it’s literally The highest National level academic achievement for high school graduates to become National Merit Scholar. Unfortunately, school or district level awards doesn’t have as much credibility. One school’s valedictorian may not qualify for even top 20% in another school, there is no consistency in standards.

National Merit Corporation offers money to a small number of super performers but many schools and corporations offer full ride, full tuition or partial scholarships. Not every student gets enough financial aid, every scholarship dollar counts for middle class families.

UTD is one example of offering top $$$$$ to scholars right here in your backyard.

https://honors.utdallas.edu/nmsp/scholarship

[debtex]

Originally Posted by jiping

No one cares. Ivies do not accept SAT anymore because of equity.

Not true. For 2021 and 2022, most schools including the Ivies are test optional. How well the kids do on the PSAT is pretty indicative of how they'll do on the SAT.

Very few schools have gone test blind.

[Taub201]

Lots of 2021 talk about cut-offs and college options here:
https://talk.collegeconfidential.com...n/2807784/2253

Yes, it's increasingly challenging for top students but there's an increasing number of families who are able to do full pay. Of course, able to pay doesn't mean willing to pay. USC says it's the top-ranked university offering merit scholarships. I know they got someone with $15K merit per year over no money at Vandy. I saw that a few NMFs were CAP'd at UT this year or got a liberal arts offer after requesting entry into engineering or business.

https://www.smu.edu/Provost/IR/Stati...nDataSets/2020
For 2020, at SMU out of 1529 new students, 496 received need-based financial aid (avg award of $47K) and 699 received merit funds.

There's a trend to cut back on full-rides for NMFs but some ranked over 120 still give them (UTD, Bama, UCF, etc.). Many like OU and UH have gone to substantial, but not all-encompassing, scholarships. Still others like Boston U, USC and A&M give very generous awards to admitted NMF students.

Congrats to all NMFs. It's a great accomplishment to nail the PSAT and have other supporting academics and leadership to get Finalist standing. Test scores are only a small part of admissions at top schools. Academic rigor, leadership and how one thrives with the circumstances they've been dealt are other key factors.