Hello,
I got a 184 on the PSATs and have a cumulative GPA of 4.1667. I am taking 5 APs next year and 6 or 7 APs senior year. My interests are mainly in the natural sciences like chemistry and physics. I am a 3-time Carson Scholar, and am wondering when I should start applying for scholarships? Where should I start?
Thanks a lot!
You will be a high school junior in fall?
Correct.
Oh, of course, as your title stated!
The sophomore year PSAT is a respectable score. Do you plan to study this summer to prepare for the new PSAT in October and aim for NMSF range?
What state are you in?
I do! I was planning on using the Khan Academy that the College Board sent an email about. I am in Maryland (about 20 minutes from Baltimore)
you should study the SAT like CRAZY this summer in order to get your PSAT score above Maryland’s limit of 222, which is the equivalent of a SAT score of 2200.
Your current PSAT score = 1850.
IF you can score above 222 in Oct, then there will be lots of opportunities for scholarships for you , some full tuition , from many colleges.
The PSAT is the SINGLE most important test you will take when it comes to qualifying for scholarship $$- It can make the difference between LOTS of money and little or none.
start studying now.
Then research college application and their scholarship deadlines- many colleges require applications be submitted earlier than regular or EA deadlines, in order for you to be considered for a scholarship.
Miss the deadline and no $$.
Thanks! Appreciate the advice! Any tips for studying?
order an SAT book from the Collegeboard- it has multiple SAT tests from the past.
study it and take a SAT test each week.
repeat each week this summer.
And READ, READ, READ- newspapers, news magazines,and books books books . Turn off the computer, go outside and dive into some books.
Your scores will go up dramatically if you follow the above advise.
Awesome! Thanks!
SAT tests from the past are not likely to be help with the new SAT that starts in Spring 2016. Use the Khan Academy materials. Yes read books, the list of HS recommended literature plus anything you like.
Realize that most money will come from the colleges themselves in the form of a) need aid and b) merit aid.
Outside scholarships are large for low income students from foundations, and pretty much small for other students and there is a huge amount of paces to look for them. Realize that most will be a one time award for your first year of college. I know of no other one for Juniors except the Nordstrom. You will apply for others beginning fall of your Sr year. So that is ‘when’. Where to start? Ask your HS guidance counselor.
“SAT tests from the past are not likely to be help with the new SAT that starts in Spring 2016.”
studying SAT tests from the collegeboard book will help the OP to study for the PSAT, whose format is not changing.
He can study for the new SAT after the College board releases its new study guides.
OP, here is a list of colleges that offer full and 1/2 tuition scholarships to National Merit Finalists. What you will need to qualify to be a NMF is a PSAT score above 222.
http://nmfscholarships.yolasite.com/
get going!!
The PSAT IS changing, this fall. https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10
Ok I stand corrected.
contact Khan academy and follow their study plan.
My son was a NMF this year. He studied all summer, took the regular SAT in the fall, Sept. first week I think. The PSAT is usually held the first week of October. By taking the SAT in the fall, after studying all summer, if you do really well, you now are done with your SAT, cross that off your list and the double bonus is you just took your “official” PSAT practice exam.
^^Except the fall 2015 SAT is the old format while the October 2015 PSAT is the new format…
What exactly are they changing? I thought for the SAT they are taking away the essay? Is math and CR going to change that much? How is the PSAT
Different?