<p>m2ck – I specifically asked since my daughter was a Presidential Scholar candidate and did not get a letter from NMSC after March 22. The woman I spoke with indicated it was more than high scores…</p>
<p>Mom2collegekids,</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s such a mystery. I think NMSC selects based on essay and recs and grades etc. SATs are also considered. It’s only to be expected that the kids who win ALSO have high SATs as well as great essays, great recs, etc etc. The whole competition starts by assessing PSAT scores, so I’m not surprised most winners have high SAT scores. I don’t think it’s such a mystery. I have found the NMSC to be very informative when I’ve called in the past. Don’t hesitate to call and ask for clarification if you need. Out of 15,000 finalists, slightly over 8000 students get scholarships-- that number includes the ones offered by colleges and corporations and NMSC.</p>
<p>State:Colorado</p>
<p>PSAT:227</p>
<p>SAT total:2290
SAT breakdown:
Math:750
CR:750
Writing:790</p>
<p>UW GPA:4/0</p>
<p>Male or Female:male</p>
<p>anything else that might have been pertinent: essays and recs and grades and rigor complement application. 36 ACT. Presidential Scholar semi-finalist.</p>
<p>It’s not more mysterious than college admissions!</p>
<p>My son has not gotten an award letter. NJ resident; PSAT 223, SAT 2370. GPA above 4.0 (don’t remember); all 5s on AP tests; leadership and service etc; surely a great counselor rec. </p>
<p>First choice school doesn’t give NM $, nor does father’s company. Kind of disappointed not to have gotten NM $ as we could have certainly used it! Ah well.</p>
<p>So sorry bookmobile, choosing the $2500 merit scholars is a mystery to me. I think if you were in a “low-PSAT number state” he probably would have had a better chance with those stats. It still was worth taking the test and going through everything as he was afforded choices and opportunities than those who did not make NMF. Its unfortunate that the school he chose does not recognize and award being a NMF.</p>
<p>Did not receive $2500 scholarship.</p>
<p>PSAT: 230
SAT: 2360
ACT: 36</p>
<p>Good essay and strong ECs/awards.</p>
<p>Hi batfan, those are impressive scores. Can you think of anything unusual that might have influenced your competitiveness for the $2500? I am sure that you have a tough course schedule and great grades/ECs/awards/recs, so I am rather baffled. I am tending to agree with M2CK about the scholarships going to high SAT scorers (1500+ M,CR), because that is the least subjective, and simplest, decider for NM to interpret. DukeShama makes an interesting point, that NM looks at the total package,which includes the 2250+ SAT, but you seem to be the exception. By the way, is it common to have a significant points difference between PSAT and SAT? In the chances thread, I sometimes see Ivy or Public Ivy kids that have near perfect SAT scores and are “only” NM commended. Alternatively, a few examples dropped significantly from test to test.</p>
<p>batfan, did you get any corporate scholarship instead?</p>
<p>You definitely don’t need 1500+ or even 150+ to get it. I only got 1450 CR+M and even lower 137 CR+M, and I still got the scholarship. So it’s at least a little holistic (although I did the app in 15 min and just used my common app essay >.>)</p>
<p>State: NC</p>
<p>PSAT: 228</p>
<p>SAT total: 2240
SAT breakdown: I don’t remember, but Math + CR did NOT total 1500
Math:
CR:
Writing:</p>
<p>UW GPA: 4.0</p>
<p>Male or Female: F</p>
<p>anything else that might have been pertinent: many ECs including sports, president of clubs, community service</p>
<p>Also, a friend’s child received one in late May last year:</p>
<p>State: NC</p>
<p>PSAT: 218</p>
<p>SAT total: 2320
SAT breakdown: I don’t know, but Math + CR had to have been above 1500 (he missed only 80 points total, so he couldn’t have missed more than 100 on Math + CR)
Math:
CR:
Writing:</p>
<p>UW GPA: 4.0</p>
<p>Male or Female: M</p>
<p>anything else that might have been pertinent: one sport all four years, some clubs, many art awards, community service</p>
<p>This is from last year, so it may or may nit be relevant. However I am adding it because I was told by a public school counselor that my son could not be a NMS if he did not go to public school, which is completely false. He was in fact homeschooled for most of his precollege education.</p>
<p>PEAT: 237
SAT: 2400
ACT: 36
SAT II Physics: 800
SAT II Molecular Biology: 800
SAT II Math II: 800
GPA: 4.0
AP Calc AB: 5
AP Calc BC: 5 and 5
AP Calc Stat: 5
AP Eng: 4 and 4</p>
<p>GPA Note: I really didn’t know how to weight his GPA, but almost every class was either pr-AB/IB, AB/IB, a college class (sophomore or junior level), or a pretty intense self study course. He spent three years at a public school but we supplemented for enrichment during that time. He also tutored college students throughout high school (math), attended increasingly selective summer science programs, was a key competitor in state champ academic bowl teams, earned high marks in music competitions, and did volunteer work for elderly helping them with technology needs. They let him change his designated school after he made his final choice in late April. </p>
<p>I should mentionnot that heto did anot lot of uniquereasons studies in addition to the standard courses, and thisI was ana advantage of homeschooling. Although the school administration was unsupportive aboutof his return toto homeschool once he ran out of math and physics, his public school teachers were delighted to give him references. Outside references and a significant number of outside grades are probably very helpful for homeschooled students because they help the evaluators compare with those of other students. However, that doesn’t have to come from public school. </p>
<p>The NMS people were quite supportive and helpful. Don’t hesitate to call them if you run into administrative snags or change schools. Just be to the point and do your part.</p>
<p>Sorry for all the typos. I have challenges with my phone when posting long replies. I can’t get it to display parts of the message for editing.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>It really is my understanding that the corporate kids are out of the running for the $2500. The girl at DD’s school who was awarded the $2500 had a slightly lower PSAT than DD (corporate award winner).</p>
<p>That was the point that I was trying to make earlier - NM is trying to spread the scholarship money as much as possible and I believe that is a good policy.</p>
<p>My daughter won the $2500 award.</p>
<p>State: AL</p>
<p>PSAT: 227</p>
<p>SAT total: 2320
SAT breakdown:
Math: 720
CR: 800
Writing: 800</p>
<p>UW GPA: 3.96</p>
<p>Male or Female: F</p>
<p>I won a $2500 award, though not sure if I’m going to use it, since I already got a full ride to college.</p>
<p>State: VT (home)/NM (boarding school)</p>
<p>PSAT: 231</p>
<p>SAT total: 2360
SAT breakdown:
Math: 800
CR: 800
Writing: 760</p>
<p>UW GPA: 3.8</p>
<p>Male or Female: Male</p>
<p>anything else that might have been pertinent: I attend a top international boarding school and have a lot of activity leadership; originally qualified for NM, but competed for scholarship in VT</p>
<p>Sorry to resurrect an older thread, but would anyone like to interpret these stats and surmise which qualities earn the $2500? If it is holistic, what do you think the most important factors are?</p>
<p>For example, it looks as if nearly all the recipients have 3.8 or higher GPAs.</p>
<p>Question - my son is a semi-finalist. He has been accepted at a school that offers NM scholarships but he is also applying to additional schools that do not offer NM scholarships and really does not yet have a first choice. Should he list the school as his first choice - will that hurt his chances for the $2500 general scholarship? This post says this question might be answered elsewhere in the forum - could someone direct me there? Thanks for posting all of these answers - this is great!</p>
<p>I think your son should wait til he more likely knows his number one choice. </p>
<p>Are all of his stats amazing? super high PSAT and super high SAT?</p>
<p>236 PSAT and 2300 SAT. Very good numbers in general but some stats I see on this site are just amazing! Does he have a decent shot at the $2500? The recurring $2000/yr school scholarship would be better but he just finished applying to several Ivies and he really doesn’t have a first choice yet and won’t until he hears from these additional schools and has a chance to do some more in depth visits.</p>