<p>Here it is...</p>
<p>In your own words, describe your personal characteristics, accomplishments, primary interests, plans, goals. What sets you apart? (about 500 words).</p>
<p>Thanks, my D doesn't go back to school for another week, so she'll be happy to be able to do a first draft before classes start up.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if these essays are supposed to be like college essays? Are we to tell a story, or just answer the question straight? I know it needs to be well-written, but this isn't a writing contest is it?</p>
<p>Thanks, I'll start working on a first draft. I don't know if I'm a semi-finalist yet, but I think I am... (223 in Minnesota?)</p>
<p>I'm wondering the same thing as MM2007...that's a lot of things to talk about if they want us to be creative...do they want us to be creative, or do they just want to know more about us...are we expected to answer all of those, or can we pick and choose?</p>
<p>i don't think the essay is that crucial... out of the 1600 NMSF, 1500 are finalists. If you calculate in the number of people who don't meet the deadline, lose the application, and opt to take the act instead of the sat, then there is almost a 100% admit rate. So my plan is to write one of my college essays this weekend and use it for the PSAT essay as well.</p>
<p>jlauer95,</p>
<p>On the NM letter I received last week, it says the following:</p>
<p>"As one of approximately 16,000 high school seniors who are Semifinalists, you have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,200 Merit Scholarship awards..."</p>
<p>So, correct me if I'm wrong; 15,000 out of 16,000 Semifinalists become Finalists, but only 8,200 of those are awarded NM scholarships? Thanks :)</p>
<p>And, I was wondering if our SAT scores play a large role in the NM selection process. Is a score of 2290 (first time) and 2320 (second time) respectable (Sorry if I come off as a show-off or arrogant. That's really not my intention; I just want to know how competitive the selection process is).</p>
<p>Thanks a lot :)</p>
<p>what the heck is NMSF? the national merit scholarship thing for the PSAT?</p>
<p>National Merit Semi-Finalists (NMSF)</p>
<p>Yes, the PSAT during the 11th grade year is the one that counts for the NM program.</p>
<p>Ha ha. I finished that essay today. :D (Um... well, started it, too... basically worked on it on-and-off all day. :p)</p>
<p>In answer one of volteface's question (if it really was one), no matter how good your scholarship application is, you only become a National Merit Scholar (receive the award) if you matriculate at a school that gives National Merit scholarships, and there aren't that many that do, hence the low number of Scholars.</p>
<p>Is only the section F essay which could be computer printed and affixed? How about the section E (activities, awards/honors and leadership positions)? I hate my handwriting.</p>
<p>Can anyone elaborate about the expected style of the essay?</p>
<p>Anniushka, your information regarding National Merit Scholarships is incorrect.</p>
<p>College-sponsored scholarships are just one of the three categories of such scholarships. There are also National Merit Scholarships awarded directly by NMSC (National Merit Scholarship Corporation); these are $2500 scholarships that can be used at ANY college. There are also corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarships; these are sponsored by private companies and are usually restricted to sons and daughters of company employees, residents of a certain area, or to particular college majors.</p>
<p>See <a href="http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php%5B/url%5D">http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php</a> for more complete info.</p>
<p>And . . . it is my understanding that once you accept one of the scholarships, you are not eligible for any other NM scholarships. In other words, you can not double-dip with a college-sponsored award and a corporate-sponsored award.</p>
<p>This is what Nat'l Merit Corp told me today...</p>
<p>If you are offered a corporate, take it. Colleges that offer full-tuition scholarships are mostly giving a scholarship that is NOT administered by NMCorp. Therefore, the college can subtract the NM Corp part of their scholarship and still give the student the majority of the scholarship that is not administered by NM Corporation.</p>
<p>Can anyone answer the question about the style of the essay? They're asking for quite a bit of information for it to be like a college essay. But do they still want it like a college essay, or can you be more straightforward?</p>
<p>Thanks...please answer quickly, if you can, I have to write my essay before Tuesday. o_O</p>
<p>I don't think I can write it like the college essay. Here their purpose seems to be to get to know about me, so I am going to write to the point sticking to what they asked.</p>
<p>when is the psat this year</p>
<p>I think I'm going to try to weave together some of the ideas I've used in my college essays so far. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any idea what the ideal GPA would be? I checked all the forms several times this week and it just says "a high GPA." I have a 3.0/5.0, which stinks, but I have an impressive ACT score (34), SAT-II scores, AP scores, etc. and above average extracurriculars. I've just been wondering if, with a killer essay, I'll have a shot at becoming a National Merit Scholar.</p>