Are you more likely to become a finalist with a less than stellar GPA if you live in KY compared to living in CA, or do they lump all SFs together and make the cuts from the group as a whole?
I don’t think the state you live in makes any difference except in the different cut off scores. The finalist distinction is determined by NMSC as long as the student meets all the criteria. I have read on the boards here where a student will not make finalist because of one C… and other years a kid with a C does make it so maybe they take into consideration other factors as well perhaps shared in their essay or in a letter to the board.
That makes sense - thanks!