<p>I don’t think the cutoff has ever been higher than 223. I doubt that NMCorp would want it to go higher than that since that is equivalent to a 2230 SAT.</p>
<p>On the one hand it is absurd; but on the other hand, there are probably systemic reasons why kids in NJ score so much higher than kids in nearby states, and perhaps your daughter has benefited from them.</p>
<p>Mom2, is there some special significance to 2230 SAT (versus, say, 2240 SAT)? </p>
<p>If NMSC is trying to create a system where the number of NMSFs is proportional to the number of HS graduates, then it doesn’t seem that they could reasonably set an arbitrary maximum cutoff.</p>
<p>It would be nice if they explained in no uncertain times why a kid in NJ needs to score 8 points higher than a kid in PA.</p>
<p>That actually has been explained, rebel. NMSC comes up with a target number of semifinalists for each state that is in direct proportion to the number of graduating seniors in that state. Then after the tests are written, they choose the cutoff that comes closest to achieving that target number of semifinalists.</p>
<p>That’s ridiculous. Why should a kid going to public schools in NJ as mine do,Have to score 10-20 points higher than a kid going to a high priced private school in neighboring states?</p>
<p>What if u go to a private day school in a different state? Which state do you count for?</p>
<p>Not sure what you’re asking. There’s no way this system is fair.</p>
<p>Is there any way a cutoff could go down 4 points?</p>
<p>
There are groups for NMF that are groups of private schools … and yes they have very high cutoffs. I know the classic NE Prep schools are in one of these groups. I do not know about the mid-atlantic prep schools but I would not be surprised at all if they are in their own group also.</p>
<p>NMF cutoffs are for boarding schools… Private schools that are nonboarding have the same state cutoff.</p>
<p>Why should my kids who go to an urban public highschool need to score 10-20 points higher than a kid from Pa. who goes to a top public high school in Gladwynne?</p>
<p>Yes, rebel, things would be fairer if they were broken down district or by school rather than by state. </p>
<p>NMF is not the be all and end all. In the end, your child with higher SAT/ACT scores will have a lot more opportunities than the kid from PA with lower scores who might luck into making NMF because they are from a lower-performing state. Many schools that recognize NMFs with scholarships also offer scholarships based directly on SAT/ACT scores as well, as do many schools that do NOT offer anything for NMF status.</p>
<p>fwiw, I think your child in an urban public school in NJ is getting a much better education and has a lot more opportunities available to her than kids in a lot of other places in this country.</p>
<p>But yes, there are lots of advantages that money (private school education) can buy a student. No one ever said life was fair.</p>
<p>elnamo, each student uses the cutoff for the state in which s/he attended HS at the time of taking the PSAT. (As others have mentioned, boarding schools are separate.)</p>
<p>Hi Mathmom, Your right that alot things in life aren’t fair.That won’t stop me from the ocassional vent. In the politically correct world of today,crap like this happens all the time</p>
<p>I’m not sure this particular unfairness stems from political correctness, but feel free to vent. </p>
<p>In any case your daughter’s excellent score will yield her lots of opportunities in the college game, assuming her SAT/ACT scores are comparable. Congrats to her on the excellent scores, and sorry you have to wait in suspense to see if it is enough for NMSF (though I do believe it should be).</p>
<p>Thx, She took SAT in Oct and got a 2190. She will take it again in the spring. She will probably attend NJ Governor’s school program this summer.</p>
<p>217 in California :(…is there any hope?</p>
<p>timu, unfortunately, I would say there’s virtually no chance that a 217 will make it in California. But with such a great score, your SAT/ACT are likely to be great, and you should have lots of other nice opportunities.</p>
<p>Thanks mathmomvt! :)</p>