<p>I do hope you’re right mathmomvt, but the number of kids who scored high last year in NJ (see my prior post on this thread) is much higher than even that of the class of 2012. That’s why I was wondering who predicted a cutoff of 227 & why.</p>
<p>I’m not an expert by any means. I guess we’ll all just have to keep our fingers crossed for a few more months!</p>
<p>cuhope, I thought the same thing. of course, I’m an anxious parent like u so some if it’s nerves but the scores Looked awfully high this year 
. Crossing my fingers that our kids made it. We’re not in NJ so we’re working with a lower score but mine is at the top end of the recent cutoff scores for our state. in ur case though, I think ur kid’s odds are better since her score is 2 points above the highest recent cutoff score.</p>
<p>I don’t think ANY state will have a cut-off higher than 223. That seems to be the number that NMCorp maxes out at…no matter how many kids in a state exceed it. That makes sense. A 223 is equivalent to a 2230…that should qualify for NMSF no matter what.</p>
<p>Yep, we love living here in NJ, ha ha! They actually should divide the state. Southern NJ is a world apart from the rest of the state when it comes to schools…We see it all of the time when we attend events like All State Band, the NJ State Quiz Bowl competition, etc.</p>
<p>Silly question… so i took the psat sophmore year and got attacked by college mail afterwards. When i took the psat this year, i think i checked that i DIDNT want colleges/ scholarship programs to contact me. this did not take me out of the running to be a NMSC commended student, right? I got a 210, which i think is enough for commended, but my school never notified me about anything… and from what i’ve read on this forum some other schools HAVE notified their students</p>
<p>college2014kg:</p>
<p>IMO the most annoying thing about the NMS program is its reliance on high schools to do most of the information distribution. Judging from the posts to this forum it seems many of them do not get it right. This year it seems that the NMSC has only increased this weakness by passing the responsibility for “top-scorer” notice to the high schools, too. </p>
<p>No, the status of your contact choice has no effect on your eligibility for NM recognition, either as a commended student or as a semifinalist. With a 210 you should have been notified by your HS that you were a “top-scorer” and you should be recognized as at least “commended” come mid-September. Depending on your state of residence you might even qualify as a SF.</p>
<p>If your HS does not notify you of your status after about the third week of September then you should call the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and directly inquire about the level of recognition for which you have qualified.</p>
<p>Descartez, I can think of several more annoying things: </p>
<p>The long, unnecessary wait between scoring the PSAT and releasing state cutoff scores. </p>
<p>The super-convoluted first choice selection mechanics that make it difficult for a student to compare offers since they have to ascertain what they will versus might be offered if they name a school their first choice, and in some cases require a student to name a school their first choice to be considered for a competitive scholarship before they even know all the schools they were admitted to (after which, if they are NOT awarded that scholarship, they can change their first choice).</p>
<p>The possibility of “accidentally” getting awarded a $2500 NMSC scholarship and being disqualified from being awarded a larger corporate or school-based award.</p>
<p>I’m sure there are more, but those are my top three ;-)</p>
<p>mathmomvt-</p>
<p>I am in total agreement on your 3 issues - especially #1. What is the rationale for dragging out the timing so long? The college research process is tough enough without having to wait until September for a vital piece of info.</p>
<p>My only guess for #1 is that they wait for updated graduation numbers from the states so that they can figure out what number of semifinalists to allocate to each state, which info they need to determine the cutoff. But… I really wish they’d just use 2-year-old graduation information and move the process along much earlier! The only other guess for that is that they just really want to wait for senior year. :-/</p>
<p>Thank you, descartesz! Unfortunately I live in Jersey, so i have no chance at SF
mathmomvt, I couldn’t agree more. Seems like nothing is run efficiently these days. Good luck to your son/daughter!</p>
<p>219 in PA. Can make it this year?</p>
<p>The hightest cutoff in PA is 216 for the past several years. Hope 219 can make it. Still not 100% sure.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>This goes beyond inefficient, to the point where it seems almost intentionally convoluted! I hate so much about it, but… it represents the best chance of big merit for my DS whose test scores are his strongest asset.</p>
<p>BSMD, I wish I could give you 100% certainty but unfortunately no one can! I would say that 3 points above the highest cutoff for your state <em>should</em> be safe, but I can’t guarantee it. (My DS is 4 points above the highest for our state, and I’ve been assuming he’ll make it, but who knows, anything can happen!)</p>
<p>BSMD, I think you’re good. I’ve been looking at PA scores A LOT as well, and given they are usually 214-215 with the one year at 216, I am pretty confident u will make it. Only an educated guess but that is my guess. I am taking into account the unfortunate spike(from our perspesctive) of the Pa test takers this year. Wonderful for the state of Pa as a whole but it makes the NMS process even more nervewracking. R u in Philly area??? I and my kiddo also wish we knew the NMS answer already. </p>
<p>Mathmom and all, my theory on issue #1 you raised is back in the “old” days, they needed lots of time to process things. however, with current technology, it seems quite silly to drag it out this long. Not to mention it will make for a chaotic Sept/early October for the semi-finalists. Not as though the kids are not busy enough with school, football season, and college apps/visits as it is … I agree with u on the other two points too :/</p>
<p>do you think that a 217 in Oregon will make the cut? the highest cutoff was for the class of 2012 at 216, and last year’s cutoff was 213.</p>
<p>don’t know lonelynerd. have not followed Oregon scores too well. Congrats on a great score but is nervewracking to be in that too close for comfort range :/</p>
<p>What do you think about a 221 in Texas? Highest ever was a 219 but I’m still not feeling like I’m out of the woods yet considering what I’ve read about this year.</p>
<p>collegeignorant, best guess is 221 will make it. have you looked at Texas score breakdowns to see how many kids scored in 75-80 range and 70 to 74 range this year and in prior years? that may give you a better guess. From what I remember in overall scores, Texas fluctuated a lot and with 219 at the high end of the fluctuation, it’s unlikely it jumped up to 222 this year. And we have 2 lists going, the will apply to regardless list and the schools to add if kid makes the NM cutoff. Some of the schools on the latter list are great but will be beyond our budget if they don’t make cutoff. the 2 lists has helped “some” with the awaiting results anxiety.</p>
<p>Texas was 216 last year, and 219 two years ago (which is the highest ever). I got a 219. What do you think my chances are?</p>