As a National Merit scholarship recipient, I found myself reading about myself in Bryan Cain’s letter to the editor (printed in the Daily on Friday, August 29). I found the author’s opinion misinformed and based almost completely on assumption.

One wrong statement I must clear up is that National Merit Scholars are not chosen by PSAT/NMSQT (Pre-Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) scores alone. This is only the FIRST factor.

The test scores determine National Merit Quarterfinalists. Only after a comprehensive application (including an important self-evaluation essay) can students be chosen as Semifinalists, Finalists, and finally, Scholars.

The words “… and so the public may have speculated that other factors predominated in attracting these scholars to ISU” (referring to the amount of the scholarships) particularly bothered me.

True, ISU does give free tuition, room and board to a certain number of National Merit Scholars, but so do many other universities — MANY others.

In fact, other universities offer even better scholarships, including funds for books, fees and incidentals.

There were three National Merit Scholars in my graduating class, and out of us three, I am receiving the (relatively) least amount of aid. I could have chosen a different university and gotten a better “deal.”

So, if the public speculates that other factors predominated in attracting me to ISU, the public would be correct.

Why did I choose ISU? Simply put, I liked it. Take a look around. Not only is it a beautiful place, but I am sure it will satisfy my needs as a student, and as a person.

Another factor that was a big influence in my choosing ISU was the support I got from the faculty.

Some of the colleges I contacted did not even bother to write/call/email me back, but the response at ISU was extraordinary.

I got everything I requested, plus a lot more pertinent and interesting information, always sent with a much-appreciated encouraging word. The faculty at the Special Recruitment Program office made the entire process much easier.

Professor Cain ended his letter stating simply that, “Not everything that is worthy produces a high score on that exam.”

I agree 100%. But from reading that phrase, one might be led to believe that the National Merit scholarship is the only aid available, and an academically-talented student who didn’t do well on the PSAT/NMSQT is out of luck. Well, that’s obviously not true.

Many diverse scholarships are given, with differing requirements. And certainly not all of them are based on any one event or talent.

Regarding the “unfairness” of the amount of the scholarship, however, full-ride scholarships are just as often given for talent in a certain sport.

Is this unfair to students who are good at sports, but just didn’t do “well enough” to qualify for a full-ride?

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Curt Lund

Freshman

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