<p>Does being a NMSF increase your chances of admission at colleges? So, someone with a lower PSAT score with same qualifications, would have a higher chance of getting in to a particular college just because they come from a state with lower NM cut off? </p>
<p>My daughter has a friend in another state with a lower PSAT score than her. He will be a NMSF because he is in Michigan. He has a 215. She has a 216, but is in Texas. I think Texas will be 218 next year, maybe even 219, probably 218. If everything else were held equal, and they both applied to the same college, would his NMSF status push him over the edge to get in?</p>
<p>My daughter is in love with Rice University. She has others she is considering. Now that we realize that the cut off score will likely be so high this year, she broke out crying stating that now she thinks she won't get in. (she is actually very exhausted and not feeling well. She has been working 6+ hours a day on a musical as well as keeping up 3 AP classes and UIL competition, and has a sinus infection with a fever, otherwise, I don't think she would have cried, I think). </p>
<p>What do you think? Does NMSF give a person an edge to get in to selective schools?</p>
<p>No. It helps people get lots of money in colleges where NMF is considered a measuring stick but not so much at others. </p>
<p>Sorry to say this but being in Texas (and distance from Rice) will affect her admission chances more than being an NMSF. If she is really serious, you can afford it and don’t want to take a chance, apply ED. However, do not assume she will get money later while applying.</p>
<p>Texas was 216 for several years until 2 years ago when it jumped to 219, dropped down to 217 this year and I would not be surprised if it goes to 216 for 2014 admits based on the scores I have seen for people (3 wrongs in math is 69 - gimme a break).</p>
<p>She is planning to apply to Rice ED. She is a legacy too. And she is not from the Houston area. She is not in the top 10%, but she is in math honor society (Mu Alpha Theta?), French honor society, NHS (sort of, we had an issue with that teacher, she took issue with the fact that my daughter used to home school and kept my daughter out of the induction last year. She CLAIMS she will allow it this year, but I am doubting, we went through a big complaint with her, that even led to screaming in the principals office over this), and has excellent recommendations. She has been doing volunteer work through the Army Corp of Engineers at their environmental center. She plays for the city orchestra, and varsity orchestra, etc. She will have something like 8 or 10 AP classes</p>
<p>Rice is an elite school. She needs a 3.8 honors based course load and a 2100 SAT and even that would only make one an average candidate. Of course if the legacy is a major contributor or has some other pull? It can’t hurt.</p>
<p>I am not sure about other pulls. She does have what would make her an average student. She did used to be deaf and has overcome that. I am not sure how to bring that in as a hook. Any suggestions?</p>