<p>Woah, this is only for commended right? Because if it’s for both, then I should have received a letter.</p>
<p>^ I think it’s for everyone in the top 3%…</p>
<p>It’s for the top 50,000. So commended and semi’s</p>
<p>I haven’t gotten anything and I am for sure a NMSF.</p>
<p>Thanks, Mom2collegekids. I appreciate the time you and others take to offer advice.</p>
<p>S2’s SAT scores are 1960 and he’ll test again in June. His unweighted GPA is 3.85, and his transcript is loaded with honors, AP and advanced classes. His extra-curriculars are in theater, music, photography, design and club leadership, and he has significant internship experience related to fashion. He’s an extrovert and a charmer, so an interview would probably boost his chances. His recommendation letters should be rock-solid.</p>
<p>Do you have any suggestions? He wants to apply to 3-4 well-known business programs which would likely offer $15K+ of merit aid to a person like him. He’ll focus on marketing, but he has wanted since age 12 to be in the fashion industry, so a school close enough for a weekend jaunt to New York or L.A. would be good. He thrives in a competitive environment.</p>
<p>Are Carnegie-Mellon or USC too far a reach? How about Rutgers? What do you think of Drexel? </p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>To be competitive for merit at top schools (that offer merit), his scores need to be higher - typically in ACT 33+ or 2200+ range.</p>
<p>To be competitive for merit in the mid-tiers (that offer merit), his scores need to be in the ACT 32+ or 2100+ range.</p>
<p>However, be aware that out of state publics don’t typically give their money to out of state students for financial aid. Some will give OOS students merit money if they qualify. So, schools like Rutgers are probably not a good idea. </p>
<p>Also, (as we’ve discovered this year), some privates have unwritten rule of no more than $10k in grants. </p>
<p>He really needs to get his scores up, if merit money is needed. Have him also take the ACT. </p>
<p>He may want to consider a SUNY. He might not get any money from them, but their OOS costs aren’t too bad (depending on what you can afford).</p>
<p>How much can you afford to spend each year on his education?</p>
<p>Mom<em>I</em>Am–Is FIT in NYC a SUNY? It might be worth a look.</p>
<p>hahalolk, nobody knows “for sure” that they are NMSFs at this point. A week or two ago, Commendeds and SFs received their letters simply saying that “You scored in the top 50,000 nationwide.”</p>
<p>Many of us are predicting we (or our kids) will be designated SFs in September when the state cutoffs are announced. For example, in our state for the past 2 years the cutoff has been 214. Daughter scored 220, so it’s a very likely bet she will be SF. But again, you should have received your letter by now if you are in the 50,000 that currently contains Commendeds and SFs.</p>
<p>What state are you in and what was your score?</p>
<p>*hahalolk, nobody knows “for sure” that they are NMSFs at this point. *</p>
<p>Actually, anyone with a PSAT of 224+ knows “for sure” that they will be an NMSF. The highest cutoff for any state in recent years has been 223. In the last couple of years, it’s been lower.</p>
<p>But, for students who are near last year’s cutoff for their states, those kids won’t know until fall.</p>
<p>*For example, in our state for the past 2 years the cutoff has been 214. Daughter scored 220, so it’s a very likely bet she will be SF. *</p>
<p>It’s VERY likely your D will make it. I don’t know if there’s ever been a 7 point increase in any state - which would have to happen for your D not to make NMSF.</p>
<p>I am so impressed with how helpful other members are! </p>
<p>I think we had one week of fantasy about getting into a higher tier school after the first NMS letter came, and now it’s back to reality! So… S2 will work to improve his SAT scores and we’ll look for a good school more easily within his reach. I think FIT is a great suggestion. After merit aid, we spend about $30K for S1 at Emerson, and S1’s stats were lower. We can pay around $30K for S2, but any more than that and it just doesn’t make sense to pass up U.W./Seattle/Foster.</p>
<p>It’s all fun in the end!</p>
<p>FIT is a SUNY. Just do a search for it. It looked great to me.</p>
<p>FIT is affordable for many OOS students…</p>
<p>Baccalaureate-level out-of-state residents<br>
<a href=“http://www.fitnyc.edu/6220.asp[/url]”>http://www.fitnyc.edu/6220.asp</a></p>
<p>COA OOS : $27,000 (for the current school year)</p>
<p>This includes about $600 for transportation and $1500 for personal expenses. The transportation is a bit low for someone from Seattle.</p>
<p>I’m BRAND new to CC but have been reading it off and on for years (since 1st kid applied to college). Now I’m on my second. Some people have said that they received their “top 50,000” letter from NMS in the mail and I was surprised my son didn’t receive anything. I called NMS and they said only the high school receives the letter and it must be communicated to the student through them…so confused…did I misunderstand the posts? Could anyone enlighten me??</p>
<p>Call the school’s GC. </p>
<p>If possible, have a copy of your son’s PSAT results in your hand.</p>
<p>^^ Your school may be late like mine. I finally got mine today while others got them like a week ago.</p>
<hr>
<p>AND now I need advice on who to report to, also!
So…Score: 226 and I live in California so I’m thinking: USC, UCB, UCLA, UCSD.</p>
<p>My problems:
-I have no clue which two to choose.
-I heard a rumor that UCs don’t really care as much anymore about this. Does anyone know if this “rumor” is true?
-And if this rumor is true, then I need to choose another place to report to…so any help recommending a good California university/college will make me forever grateful.</p>
<p>I’ve got a friend who asked me to do some quick digging for him…he got a 217 on the PSAT, and was notified that he was among the top 50k scorers. We live in New York, and he wanted me to see what his chances of being a semifinalist were –> I’ve found stats for the 08 and 10 scores, which were 216 and 218, respectively. Any idea what his chances are? Thanks for any and all advice!</p>
<p>Scores usually only fluctuate 1 or 2 points up or down…</p>
<p>^^</p>
<p>Yes, usually. But there have been a couple of larger fluctuations. One year, I think there was a 5 point fluctuation in one state. That was about 3 years ago.</p>
<p>Thank goodness, the letter came today. I guess it’s just different mailing patterns. I was confused for a second there.</p>
<p>Yes, I know for sure I am a NMSF because I scored 12 points than my state’s cutoff, and higher than any states cutoff in recent time. So I did know.</p>
<p>if the cutoff for a state was, say, 219 and you got a 219, do u make semifinalist?</p>