<p>"...but so many people seem to be disappointed when they find out that NMF isn't worth very much at the top schools that I thought I'd be more specific."</p>
<p>Well, I have to say "amen!" to that. Not all prep is that expensive, btw.</p>
<p>I like bluebayou's approach. D took the PSAT in the 9th, got a high enough score that a little prep may have made a difference. She read the booklet and about 50-100 pages of a PR book. No practice tests .Zippo. My guess? She'll miss by a couple of points, maybe 5.</p>
<p>I'll say it this way. I see no reason to prep for the PSAT. I see very good reasons for some high achieving students to prep for the NM Scholarship Qualifying Test, or any other merit scholarship test for which they would be in the running based on prior results.</p>
<p>Some of the schools D is looking at have scholarship competitions on campus. Some include tests. I would certainly hope D would come primed and prepared for those competitions.</p>
<p>Good point, Cur. I think you hit on something VERY important that none of us have brought up yet when you said: </p>
<br>
<blockquote> <p>I see no reason to prep for the PSAT. I see very good reasons for some high achieving students to prep for the NM Scholarship Qualifying Test, or any other merit scholarship test for which they would be in the running based on prior results.<<</p> </blockquote>
<br>
<p>So, I suppose the advice to the original poster should be: do you think your son fits into the "high achieving students" category? Are his grades and other factors good enough that he could make it all the way to NMF if he qualifies on the PSAT? If so, then, perhaps as Cur says, some prepping may be called for. </p>
<p>If the answer is maybe or no, use your own judgement and knowledge of your son to determine his tolerance and motivation for extra prep (and your tolerance for paying for it or keeping on top of him if his motivation lags). Only you and your son can decide if the extra time, effort, and, potentially, money is worth it.</p>
<p>Thanks for your response. My son will be Junior this fall when he will take PSAT. Some of his friends already took PSAT as soph. Now a soph, he will be taking 2 AP's this week. Just said, why study?, not much more I can do, his EHAP is tomorrow.... He also will be taking 2 SATII's in June, doubt he will prep for that either.....I will be lucky if I can get him to read the PSAT booklet before Oct. What exactly is NMS? Also, when do kids prep for SATI? I know kids prep for that......</p>
<p>Meant what is NMF? Thanks.</p>
<p>sure it is worth prepping up for PSAT. PSAT is the only test that determines (for NMF and commended) if you can get good merit aid at certain schools.</p>
<p>One of my Son's friends's parent wanted him to go to Baylor (Baylor gives full ride to NMF), pulled him out of band and made him prep. The strategy paid off.</p>
<p>Thanks, maybe I can get him to prep a few hours this summer. What ever NMF is I wouldn't want him to miss it by a couple of points.......</p>
<p>
[quote]
What ever NMF is ...
[/quote]
LOL. It's difficult till you know our secret handshakes. NMS-National Merit Semi-Finalist, NMF-National Merit Finalist. If we made the Home Version of the College Admissions game too easy, nobody would want to play. ("Drat! I landed on Dartmouth again and Cangel just put a grad school on it!! How am I ever going to afford that with our EFC?")</p>
<p>Kary, First, I have been remiss in not welcoming you to our merry group! Second, if you look towards the top of the parents page, you will see a section with what looks like a thumbtack next to it that is labeled "Abbreviations" -- that will fill you in on what Cur calls "our secret handshakes."</p>
<p>Thanks, I am pretty new. Looking forward to this forum, since son will be junior this fall.</p>
<p>Neither of my kids studied for PSAT. Son was National Merit Semifinalist, daughter a "Commended." Neither regretted not studying.</p>
<p>Kary, We have a thread going for the junior parents to introduce themselves to each other, Look for "Junior parents: Let the games begin." I am the mom of a junior too (a daughter).</p>
<p>OK, if he studies fine, if not oh well....</p>
<p>Carolyn, my son is still a soph, and will be a junior this fall, so can I still post on the Junior thread?</p>
<p>Carolyn:</p>
<p>statistically, you are probably correct, but it only takes one such college if that is a college to where a student is applying. For example, on my S's short list of schools, there resides two college that offer a 50% reduction in tuition. At $30k per year, that is $15k * 4 year = $60k for a simple test. Not bad payoff for a few hours of studing. </p>
<p>Perhaps I'm missing something, but IF a kid IS going to prep, why not after Soph year since the prep time won't change? Free money is free money, no matter how much.</p>
<p>Karyblue - welcome!<br>
f you wouldn't be offended I would like to nominate you for the "Award for the LOL (laugh out loud) Moment from a Newbie" in the award thread. Your "Thanks, maybe I can get him to prep a few hours this summer. What ever NMF is I wouldn't want him to miss it by a couple of points......." comment, as well as Curmudgeon's response, really made my day. I don't want it to sound like I was making fun of you because I'm not. It was just a perfect comment for this board. Hope you enjoy your time here.</p>
<p>my goodness, that is alot of $$$. Maybe he should review a bit, he probably forgot his basic algebra and geometry.......</p>
<p>Kary, Sure, you're welcome on the junior thread! I think that there may also be one going for sophomore parents. But, speaking for myself, there is no better way to learn about what to do and NOT to do in college admissions than to follow the saga's of a crop of students as they pass along the admissions journey. So, join the party --- don't be shy about asking questions, and just enjoy!</p>
<p>Blue, I gotcha. And I agree. In fact, based on his 7th grade SAT scores for the Johns hopkins CTY program, my son will probably have a heck of a lot better chance at NMF than his sister. And yes, if truth be told, I probably WILL encourage him to study just a bit before the PSAT in 11th grade if his 10th grade PSATs show promise. Hey, as you say, why pass up the possibility of free money?
:)</p>
<p>Over30, I have no idea what NMF or NMS is, or how difficult it is to qualify....or what this $$ is about... I am a newbie.....but my son is a high achiever.....but doesn't like to prep</p>