<p>Have any juniors heard from their counselors yet in regards to being recognized in the first stage of national merit? I know they say that students will be informed in April, but I haven't heard anything yet.</p>
<p>I have a selection index of 199 (I know, could very well be too low) but I've heard that the cutoff for commended student is usually the top 5%, and I was in the 96th percentile so I'm kind of anxious...</p>
<p>Don't you not learn about this stuff until senior year?</p>
<p>u can look up previous scores for commended status but i always thought it was top 3 for commended and top 1% for semi final. usually u need about 203-205 to qualify for commended but maybe thats my state</p>
<p>I think you'll find out in September if your score is above the cutoff.</p>
<p>last year, the minimum selection index was 204 in the country. i think that's what you have to beat to gain the first contact in april (when they ask for your top college choice so they can start making connections).</p>
<p>So we have to pick our top college during April of our junior year for national merit? Isnt that a little early? My college choices could change a lot from now until the end of senior year.</p>
<p>If you are identified as a semi-finalist (in September of your senior year), you will receive a postcard to identify your "top choice" school, which you can change until late May of your senior year. My D's choice back in Sept was the school of her 5 choices that offered the most for NMF's. She received the $2500 Nat'l Merit scholarship from the Nat'l Merit Corp., and decided on a different school. She sent in a change of "1st choice", but doesn't expect anything different because of it. You won't know if you are a semi-finalist until the fall, but you can get a good guess based on last year's results (search CC threads for state cut-offs). Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks, but I don't need to know when the semifinalists are notified. I'm 100% sure that I won't make semifinalist with my index, especially since I live in NY. However, according the NMSC website, students are notified in April to name their top choice schools... I'm just wondering if anyone has heard yet, and if anyone in the 96th percentile has received commended student in the past.</p>
<p>I'm well above the cutoff and haven't received any info yet. I think there is a specific date that is listed on a calendar somewhere at collegeboard or nationalmerit.org, it's more like April 16th or 17th.</p>
<p>
[quote]
you will receive a postcard to identify your "top choice" school, which you can change until late May of your senior year
[/quote]
</p>
<p>So does that mean that if all the schools you apply to offer $2000 if you list them as your "top-choice," you can just change it in May to whichever school you decide to attend?</p>
<p>i think you have to be listed as undecided to get until may for the decision. search through the past forums and they discuss it a bit more.</p>
<p>I called nmsc today and they said letters were mailed to principals today with a list of students who have qualified thus far. (commended, I think!)</p>
<p>You will hear soon is you score high enough to at least be commended. Everyone in the country who meets eligibility requirements & scores at least the minimum (probably around 204 or 205) will get a letter. Once people start posting about getting letters, give it a couple weeks. If you find out the minimum on this site, scored at least that, and didn't get a letter ---ask your guidance counselor. If he/she doesn't know, then call National Merit. Sometimes schools don't get the info or somehow misplace it. Those students will be guaranteed to be commended or better if they do the paperwork. Make sure you arrange to take the SAT, because you'll need it if you're a semifinalist (in order to try for finalist). The cutoff for semifinalist/finalist stage varies by state. You can do a search on this website & find the list of cutoffs for the last 2 or 3 years, by state. Don't assume anything ... you won't know until they send out the letters in the fall. My D missed semi/finalist by 1 point (our state went up 2 points that year). She got a commended letter in the fall.</p>
<p>As far as naming schools is concerned, just put anything down for now. If you make it to semi/finalist, you'll have a chance to change it later. When that time comes, make sure to check the postings on this website ... they'll help you figure out which schools your are considering offer the best money for NM finalists (for example, Northwestern doesn't ... too many NMFs!).</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I got a 227 as my index, but I haven't been notified about the College Plans Reporting Service either. How long should it take until the schools receive the information for that which was sent out on the 16th? Also, should a 227 qualify me for the California semifinals?</p>
<p>Try searching threads for info on state cutoff scores. There are lists published a couple times a year on this thread & in parent forum. You definitely made commended, so you will be getting something soon. Some schools keep it for awards night, but there is a form you need to complete & submit ... so you do need to be told soon. Give it 2 or 3 weeks, then ask guidance office. You can call NM, too, but wait a couple weeks --- AFTER posts start appearing here that people were notified.</p>
<p>My D heard in September from her counselor semifinalist standing. Although her scores gave us a clue she would get it....I think you hear from Counselor and are given large packet to fill out, essays to write etc. That was due Sept 30 then you hear finalist in Feb I think. Good luck. Opens doors to mucho scholarships....</p>
<p>My D just received her letter regarding the college plans reporting service yesterday from the school principal. The letter itself was dated April 16, so I wouldn't get nervous yet if I were you. Your mail could take longer, or the letters could be sitting in the school office right now.</p>