Hey everyone, rising senior here. I didn’t do so well on the PSAT - SI of 215 - but I found out it apparently meets the cutoff for commended. However, I live in Texas, a competitive state, so the semifinalist cutoff is bound to be higher than 215 (we’ll find out in September).
Would it hurt my application to top tier schools to put a commended status if I have better old SAT and SAT subject test scores? I’m scared writing commended will make colleges think, “Wow, this kid isn’t that smart since he couldn’t even get semifinalist”.
That’s like not wanting to admit that you won a silver medal at the Olympics because you feel people will only criticize you for not being good enough to get gold.
This is a non-problem. My kid got commended, and she of course listed it. She got into a lot of great colleges. Far better to be in the top 2% of all students in the country, and let them know, than not say anything. Why aren’t you proud of this?
I’m scared writing commended will make colleges think, “Wow, this kid isn’t that smart since he couldn’t even get semifinalist”.
OK, think about it. I would be surprised if many NMSF omit that on their application. So, if you’re going to think that way, what’s to prevent them from thinking, wow this kid didn’t list semifinalist, he isn’t that smart?
Or wow, this kid didn’t list commended, he couldn’t even get commended?
Your SAT is very good and that’s mostly what they care about anyhow. If they cared that much about PSATs, they’d be asking for those scores. If I were you, I’d list commended and stop worrying unproductively about it.
My daughter proudly listed commended on her application. She got into many wonderful schools and received several very nice scholarships. Congratulations on your achievement!