2013 NMSQT Commended Cutoff?

Test Preparation
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<p>So I received my PSAT scores today and was slightly disappointed to see that I had missed the National Merit Semi-Finalist cutoff, which is 217 here in Virginia. </p>

<p>Critical Reading (AKA the bane of my existence): 64
Math: 80
Writing: 68
For a not-so-grand total of... 212</p>

<p>So I was wondering if there is a chance I could be a commended student, or if the commended status is even worth anything. A lot of my family members and friends were finalists, so I was kind of bummed. Especially since I scored a lot better on my SAT. </p>

<p>I was wondering if anyone had any idea of what the commended cutoff usually is in Virginia or similar states. Thanks!</p>

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<p>Commended is usually between 200 and 202. [National</a> Merit Scholarships](<a href=“http://www.collegeplanningsimplified.com/NationalMerit.html]National”>http://www.collegeplanningsimplified.com/NationalMerit.html) And commended is always a national cut off.</p>

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<p>And the semi-finalist cut-offs will not be official until sometime next fall (September?). I see that you are 5 points below the cut-off from last year and I do not believe there is usually that big of a drop. Still, don’t want others to think you somehow already know the cut-off…</p>

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<p>My daughter (Class of 2014) scored 228 (77 CR, 71 Math, 80 WS) on NMSQT. Our state cut-off has been below 210 in recent years. We are new to this and don’t understand all of the processes and criteria between this point and NMS. She currently has a 4.0uw GPA in a rigorous IB program and good/very good, but not excellent or super-outstanding, ECs. ACT from 10th grade with no prep was 33 and was recently retaken but scores have not been received yet. SAT will be taken soon. Reference letters should be excellent. I’m trying to get a feel for whether she is likely or not likely to make semi-finalist, finalist, NMS. Any info on what students’ info looks like for these cut-offs would be helpful.</p>

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<p>You will easily get Commended CaroJ. Nice Job!</p>

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<p>depends on race too</p>

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<p>its 220 in CA</p>

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<p>Japmom, it’s better etiquette to start your own thread on a different topic (your child vs. the OP). That being said:

15,000 out of 16,000 NMSFs make finalist. Those that don’t do so because they have issues (non-matching grades, discipline), don’t fill out the rest of the paperwork (if they are headed to a college where it doesn’t matter) or don’t send a ratifying SAT score to the College Board. Congratulations. it’s looking very good.</p>

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<p>Thanks, Erin’s Dad, for the information. I apologize for my breach of etiquette. This was my first ever post on any kind of message board. I tried to find a link to start a new thread for quite some time but never stumbled upon it.</p>

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<p>The New Post link is at the top of the page in the forum (not in a message).</p>