<p>I scored a 223 on the PSAT, so from what I understand I should have gotten a letter in April from my guidance counselor. When I asked her about it, she said she hadn't received them yet. Should I contact someone, or just wait it out? I'm slightly confused by this whole process, and I really don't want to miss something important! Thanks!</p>
<p>xdaily…Congrats on a great PSAT score!! Your GC probably should’ve gotten the letter by now, but don’t worry too much about it. Even if the GC misplaced the letter, the only thing you’d miss out on at this point is a chance to notify 2 schools that you’re among the top 50,000 scores in the country (really just a notice of interest). The important letter would be the one that might come in the fall of your senior year identifying you as a NM Semi-finalist.</p>
<p>What state are you from? 223 is a great score but there are some states in which that might not qualify you as a NMSF. Here is a link to last year’s cutoff scores for each state. The cutoffs can vary from year to year, but usually don’t change by more than a couple of points.</p>
<p>[National</a> Merit Scholarships](<a href=“http://www.collegeplanningsimplified.com/NationalMerit.html]National”>http://www.collegeplanningsimplified.com/NationalMerit.html)</p>
<p>Good Luck to You!! If you make NMSF, you’ll have a package to fill out in the fall of your senior year (recommendation letter, transcript, essay, first choice selection card, etc.). There are plenty of threads in this forum to help you out with those items, as well as info on scholarship opportunities for NMF’s. Don’t be afraid to ask, folks here are extremely helpful.</p>
<p>When S handed me his, he said, “it pays to be assertive.” He went to his GC and reminded her who the letter was from, what is was for, and who should probably have received one. She told him she’d need to make a few calls and to go back to class. She showed up to his class near the end of the period with his letter and (and a couple more, if was the class I’m thinking of). There are individual letters in envelopes addressed to the students, but apparently, these letters were enclosed in a single mailing addressed to the principal. The person who had them was an admin type who is responsible for “all testing.” Go figure.</p>
<p>See your GC again and tell her the letter is probably addressed to the principal and can she check on it because there is time-sensitive material inside (the “select two schools” website is only open through 5/25). As Wolverine86 says, though, this is really only worth so much.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>thanks for the help! I got my letter today 
And I’m in Florida, so it looks like I’ll make the cut-off</p>
<p>xdaily…Yes, your score will definitely qualify you for NMSF status in Florida. Congrats!! If you haven’t already done so, start reading through the threads regarding the guaranteed scholarship opportunities for NMF’s. If money is a major factor is your college choice (as it is for most folks) you’ve got some outstanding possibilities in-state and nearby (UCF, Alabama, Auburn) that you can check out this summer and get a leg up on your search process.</p>
<p>Have you taken the SAT yet? If not, you’ll need to do so by December. You don’t need to “match” your PSAT score (i.e. 2230) but you’ll need a “qualifying” score to validate your PSAT. It’s usually somewhere around 1960-2000 range. Your school will receive a package in the fall of your senior year with everything required for the next step (recc letter, official transcript, essay, first choice college letter, etc.) but for now you’re all set.</p>