Our school only enters semester grades on the transcripts so guess only 9-11 grades since the application needs to be submitted before grades come out. The school does have to give a recommendation that the student is in good standing
One more week or there about (hopefully) before we know the cut offs!
I still want to know who gets a copy of “the book” and when. I’m starting to think it just goes to HS GC’s, I did learn that the press releases are sent via email directly from National Merit to media outlets they have on file. Press release day should be either 9/11 or 9/12 but I may need tranqualizes if I have to wait that long!
Seriously. This wait is torture.
The lady who helped us was a GC. If you know anyone you might reach out.
Hi 3scoutsmom
I recall you from two years ago when my first was senior. She is now at USC and enjoying herself. This time it’s my son who is sitting on lasts years NMSF cutoff. Hope our state does not go up.
DS has no hope for NMF. Even his 36 act comp will not be enough to off set his 2.8 gpa. He views school as social time between Video games. He is wicked smart but tries to displease teachers more than not. His 5 AP Physics 1 score is an example as his teacher rewarded him with a final course grade of D-. We watch the cutoffs with interest but knowing it will not really matter for DS2020.
sekere62
We are hoping this week goes quickly and the cutoffs remain the same. My oldest DD was so far above the cutoff that we didn’t have to worry but my youngest is sitting near the cutoff so it has been a long wait!
So about one more week? I’m antsy to start the next round of college visits, probably Tx Tech and UCF in Oct/Nov. I know she should be okay for NMSF, but I have a hard time counting unlatched chickens. Hopefully everyone’s chickens will hatch soon and they’ll all be shiny NM chickens. Okay, I don’t know about that metaphor but y’all know what I mean.
We are good for the cutoff but I am nervous about whether dd will advance to finalist. Her grades and SAT scores are fine but it’s a long time to wait to find out for sure.
@drxxpresso I’ve heard NM called the “Golden Ticket” don’t see why a ‘golden egg’ would work as well;-) While you’re in Texas you might check out UTD - their NM package is written up oddly but does come out to be a full ride +/- $100 or so depending on food plan and books. My middle kiddo is starting his second year there as NM and loves it!
@3scoutsmom Do you know if UTD will be offering the same NM package for the class of 2020? We are counting on it but I am nervous they will decrease the amount.
We are counting on that too (so long as the TX cut off stays the same!) I don’t think it will change because they are still competing with other school that offer NM. When OU cut its NM package I was worried but then Florida opened theirs to OOS so I think things will stay the same at least for this year. Colleges usually announce any changes in NM packages during the first two weeks of September. The only school in recent memory that has changed things later was UK but they announced there would be a change - just took forever to tell folks what it was!
Hello parents, I love this time of year. I always sit on pins and needles cheering the kids/parents on. It sure does seem that activity/excitement is way down. I am mom of 2021 D who is upstairs prepping right now for PSAT/NMQST. Cheering you on and hoping there is very minimal increase in the scores needed. Praying Texas stays at 221.
We are anxiously waiting here too. D20 is one point above last year’s cutoff, so we are super nervous. Our older son just started at Alabama on their National Merit Scholarship, the opportunities he has with it are amazing.
Crossing my fingers that we hear soon and that the cutoff doesn’t go up more than one point.
@3scoutsmom - we’re from Austin, and she seems to be finding UTD a little too close to home though she is applying there. She has a younger, CS-minded brother for whom I think it’s going to be a great fit. Too soon to say if he’s going to be NMF material, but we can hope.
@drxxpresso we’re just SW of Austin. First kiddo was NM at OU before they cut back their scholarship, the second is starting his second year at UTD and the third has already said he’s going UTD with or without NM but we are crossing our finger for NM. I get that UTD isn’t for everyone, you might look at FSU, UF and UM while you’re in FL. I went to FSU myself back in the dark ages 
@brentwoodmom may I PM you?
@BingeWatcher- sure! Hopefully so can figure out how to find it on this format change.
I’m sitting right on the cutoff for the PSAT— I’m so nervous! Good luck everyone! :,)
@vansnow what state are you in?
Still crickets on any word of any state’s NM cut off!
I went back and checked my notes from 2017 (when my DS18 was waiting) and found that NMSC sent the mail to schools and homeschoolers via USPS bulk mail on Aug 22nd (Tuesday)
8/28/17 I got word from a TX public school teacher via CC that the TX cut was 221
9/1/17 our high school gave the kids “official” notification that they were NMSF but told them not to talk about it until 9/13 press releases dates seem to always be on a Wednesday this year it on 9/11
We the parents got an email stating our child had “qualified as a candidate in a scholarship program administered by NMSC” on 9/5/17 and requested we log in and give consent.
This waiting is killing me! I just want to plan the celebration or move on to plan “B” already…