<p>The cutoff last year was 215, and it seems unlikely that it would rise by 4 points in the last year, but how likely is it that it will happen again? Ugh, I hate being so close to the cutoff! And does anyone know why NMS keeps you waiting until September? Everyone's scores have been graded already...</p>
<p>MN cutoffs have ranged between 212-216 over the last five years or so. I think you should consider yourself “safe”.</p>
<p>As for the September delay I will speculate on two possible reasons:</p>
<p>Marketing: NMS likes to release notifications at the start of each new school year, bringing increased attention to the awards.</p>
<p>Statistics: NMS needs to wait on important statistical information, like high school graduation rates by state, before they can allocate NMSF slots.</p>
<p>NMCorp knows who made NMSF long before Sept. They notify the colleges during the summer, so that colleges have time to prepare their mailers, targeted campaigns, etc. </p>
<p>the high schools themselves often get the pkts/notifications in August. When my son made NMSF, he got his packet 2-3 weeks before the “embargoed date”. </p>
<p>And…that SAME day, he received letters in the mail from colleges congratulating him on making NMSF and offering scholarships.</p>
<p>Great. Thanks guys! I feel better about this now. I heard College Board is trying to bring down cutoff scores. Is this true?</p>