<p>Flashpoint: AIM FOR SEMIFINALIST! When I was a sophomore I thought I was naturally talented at these tests. I scored a 175 on the PSAT. I was dismayed, to say the least… but because of that, I tried even harder. I just got back my results this Saturday and I scored a 219 (70CR/79M/70CW) which qualifies for semifinalist in my state. I increased by 44 points… it won’t be that hard for you to increase by 22! It’s best to work the most on your worst section; last year my worst was Critical Reading (52) and I brought it up 18 points. But make sure at the same time you are working on your other sections as well… I increased 15 points from my old math score (64) and 11 points from my writing score (59).</p>
<p>I just emailed my petition to the College Board. I’ll let you guys know the response when I receive their letter.</p>
<p>226 in Pennsylvania so I’m quite happy, as the cutoff has been around a 213. I feel like scores definitely are lower in general this year. I go to a very intense private school where about 15-20 out of 60 make at least commended each year and about half are semifinalists. Judging from what I’ve heard from my classmates so far, I don’t think my grade will be very close to these numbers. Has anyone else seen similar drops at their schools?</p>
<p>203 ■■■. Complain. whine. whine.
PA,like that other go. I do not go to an elite prep school.</p>
<p>You don’t need to go to an elite prep school to do well on standardized tests, honestly.</p>
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</p>
<p>Yes, but the environment of a competitive school can increase the scores of many; competition stimulates preparation and in turn success oftentimes among kids.</p>
<p>As in most years, my school did not do very well this year. I was somewhat disappointed with my score (though this will be eased if they reverse the Writing question answer), but my score was twelve points ahead of the second best student and twenty points ahead of the third best student in my school of about 1900 kids.</p>
<p>By the way, I found an entry set on Google Dictionary that delineates clearly the distinction I’ve been arguing. Too bad I already sent in the petition.</p>
<p>[explanation</a> in English - Google Dictionary](<a href=“http://www.google.com/dictionary?langpair=en|en&q=explanation&hl=en&aq=f]explanation”>http://www.google.com/dictionary?langpair=en|en&q=explanation&hl=en&aq=f)</p>
<p>Quote, silverturtle</p>
<p>"Many choose not to apply for Finalist in favor of a corporate scholarship. " Yesterday, 9:52 PM</p>
<p>Really? I’m curious—do corporations usually offer more money than universities do? The corporate scholarships you’re talking about are the “Special Scholarships” offered to Commended students, right? I’m asking because it seems like I will only be Commended(I got 200+, don’t worry) based on cutoff scores for my state in past years.</p>
<p>I wasn’t trying to boast about my school or our academic accomplishments - if high PSAT scores even count as an academic accomplishment instead of dumb luck which if how I view them. I simply stated the type of school I attend and the facts the pertain to my question, wondering if this drop pertained to all schools or just schools of certain types.</p>
<p>HammyHam,</p>
<p>I won’t give a blanket comment on corporate scholarships, but I know that the one I’m hoping to receive offers far more than being a National Merit Scholar does: it awards $12,000 each of four years.</p>
<p>Oh wow. 
That’s awesome. If you don’t mind me asking/prying, which scholarship is it? Did you leave the name out to create a mood of curiosity or to conceal your miraculous find? Seriously, that sounds quite impressive. I’m…impressed.</p>
<p>For purposes of privacy and at my parent’s request, I won’t reveal which it is (though you could probably find out). It wouldn’t do any good to anyone at this point: the due date for applications is long past and one’s parent must work at the company.</p>
<p>Can you get scholarships for SAT scores? I got a 2320 on the SAT, but only 205 on the PSAT (commended). Can I still get merit scholarships? By the way, I have a 98% GPA and 4 APs, so does that help too?</p>
<p>Quote, silverturtle</p>
<p>"HammyHam,</p>
<p>I won’t give a blanket comment on corporate scholarships, but I know that the one I’m hoping to receive offers far more than being a National Merit Scholar does: it awards $12,000 each of four years. "
and then
"For purposes of privacy and at my parent’s request, I won’t reveal which it is (though you could probably find out). It wouldn’t do any good to anyone at this point: the due date for applications is long past and one’s parent must work at the company. "</p>
<p>Awww… and to think that you gave everyone so much hope. 
Well, is it an Illinois-based company? If so, I definitely can’t apply because my Dad doesn’t work for an Illinois-based company. Do you know when the other deadlines are(just in general—say next month, a few months from now, senior year, etc.)? I can’t believe the deadline has already past! Well, maybe I can believe it if it doesn’t require a PSAT score. Is that the case?</p>
<p>It’s a national corporation. The deadline was a couple months before the PSAT was administered.</p>
<p>Oh, I see. Are there other companies that give scholarships just like the one you mentioned? <em>is hopeful</em></p>
<p>Yeah, you’re right. $12k/year to the college of your choice(yes?) is waaaaay better than a one-time $2.5k deal.</p>
<p>D got her score today, 225. Wow! Her SAT a week early was only 2070.</p>
<p>Hey so I got 215 Illinois. Do you think the cutoff will increase 2 points from last yr to 216, or am I fine in all likelihood</p>
<p>What I think is that you should stop worrying about it. You won’t know for sure about anything, no matter how many different speculations you get here, until you receive the commended or semi-finalist notification in September of '10.</p>
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</p>
<p>The chance that the cut-off jumps two points is effectively negligible.</p>