<p>To everyone claiming that one test cannot measure academic aptitude, I agree. But I also see reason for recognition.
I think the idea behind the PSAT/NMSQT is to exhibit consistency. In athletics, if one athlete performs well at every game and another has on/off days, who would be picked for next year’s team?
In academics, if you can perform well on this one test, with a lot of pressure for acceptable results, you’ll most likely do well on other tests. Of course, there all the students that just had a “good” day for the PSAT, but that’s what the SAT verification is for. </p>
<p>That’s just my take on it. </p>
<p>But, on topic, my school announces the NMSFs an commanded students many times throughout the year.
At the last day of school assembly, the principal explains the recognition and then calls up the juniors who will enter the next year’s competition. We were given certificates and took a group shot for the school’s website. It’s been up all summer. We were also featured in the summer alumni magazine. In the fall, the NMSFs will get profile pages on the homepage of the school’s website. All are recognized again at the academics award ceremony in January. And at the senior awards ceremony, all are called up and presented with another certificate. This awards ceremony also lists the colleges all seniors will attend in the fall, and announces all scholarships received. Special recognition is given to those with scholarship packages worth over $100k. (and acceptances to prestigious universities)</p>
<p>Our school is fairly well balanced in athletics and academics, but with very little support for the arts.</p>
<p>A high PSAT score is not an academic achievement in and of itself. However, in the many decades the test has been used, the vast majority of those who have achieved the very highest scores on a given test date have enjoyed later academic success. Some colleges are so sure of the odds they are willing to give away large sums of money to attract these students (and to enjoy the resulting boost to their median SAT scores and rankings). That’s not to say other students won’t enjoy just as much (or more) academic success. They will. But the 15,000 kids in the NMSF pool are a decent bet.</p>
<p>Of course, giving money to the NMSF kids takes money away from students who might have done less well on that single test, but who are even more primed to succeed. That is not fair. But if you are a lower tier college, finding and getting the “very best” to apply and enroll in your school is a lot more work than just going after the kids who happened to ace the PSAT in their junior year.</p>
<p>At my school it’s not really mentioned or announced at the time, but at the end of year award recognition ceremonies the NMSF and NMF are mentioned. However, their accomplishments are permanently remembered because the names of the Semi-finalists and finalists are displayed on a banner that hangs from the ceiling in our commons. You see them every day. I’m excited to become a NMF (hopefully!) and be a part of this history at my school. I can understand why at some schools it isn’t possible to list all the winners on a banner, plaque, etc, but at my school there are only 2-4 per year so it’s more feasible.</p>
<p>To be fair it’s not just one test. That is step one followed by a confirming score on the SAT, a transcript with good grades, a letter of recommendation from your principal and an essay.</p>
<p>But on topic: HS principal said that DS would be recognized at our annual honors awards night where students with a 3.5 receive recognition for their good grades. I believe that means he will explain the program and congratulate DS. A good way for underclassmen to hear about the opportunity.</p>
<p>My school gave us a pretty nice lunch with pizza, salads, sodas, and cupcakes for dessert. The principal and our grade administrator were there, as well as most of the counselors. Afterwards, they handed us the letter with the log-in info.</p>
<p>There wasn’t any schoolwide announcement or anything, and nor do I think there should have been. I think it’s a nice gesture - semifinalists get recognition without alienating other students. </p>
<p>However, finalists are all mentioned by name during the principal’s speech at graduation each year.</p>
<p>Son’s school has a new Principal. The school did not make any major announcements. However, the NMSFs (my son said there were about 20 of them) were invited to the Principal’s office for some cookies and soda. They were congratulated by the Principal. Then, I am told, all the Vice Principals and counselors came and congratulated them. Then, the Principal said they were the best and brightest at the school and would receive all the administrative support they needed in the college application process. It was a very nice way to make these children feel really special.</p>
<p>As far as I can tell, nothing at all. We were called at home and told to pick up a letter the next day. Nothing on the announcements, nothing on the website. Our names were listed on the district website. It’s a bit of a bummer since my old school (where my brother got NMSF) made a big fuss over them. It was featured prominently on the website, there was some sort of recognition ceremony/breakfast, and they got sweet parking spots near the school. Oh well. :/</p>
<p>Is OP serious? Nmsf is hardly an achievement worth recognizing. I think that our school puts too much emphasis on that instead of other amazing things kids accomplish</p>
<p>hpyscm…Why would you choose to belittle anyone’s accomplishments? If you don’t feel the need to celebrate your NMSF status that’s your choice, but degrading the hard work and achievements of others is incredibly immature and short-sighted for someone who wants to attend a “top” university. On the bright side, your pretentiousness may be just what they’re looking for. Good Luck in your college search.</p>
<p>Our school didn’t even inform the teachers. The counselors & principal congratulated the two from our school, and a counselor announced it at a meeting of the top 1% of the class (about 20 kids), but other than that, there’s been nothing.</p>
<p>Yes- my son’s school had nothing also. As in, at senior night, I mentioned the need for the principal (who is brand new and my son and I have not met him) to write an endorsement letter and the head of guidance had no clue what I was talking about or that my son is a semi-finalist.</p>
<p>My son’s school announced the names of NMSF’s at school. Kids and parents are invited for lunch next week (which will be prepared and served by the “home ec” classes). It was actually a pretty good lunch when D was NMSF!</p>
The Principal called in each NMSF into his office and personally congratulated them for their accomplishment.
The Principal notified the parents of each NMSF by phone call.
The Principal mentioned the NMSFs in his weekly all-call to the homes of every student at the school.
The school district put out a press release this week, naming all NMSFs.
The school newspaper will have an article about the NMSFs in the next issue.
The school puts the NMSF names on display in a trophy case for the duration of the school year.
At year-end, the NMSFs are honored in the school’s scholastic awards & scholarships ceremony.</p>
<p>Sounds like our school honors its NMSFs very well compared to the experiences of some of the other posters. It’s a shame that some school administrators don’t choose to celebrate this accomplishment for their students.</p>
<p>Whoa hold up. I wasn’t belittling anybody. I didn’t mean it like that- I just meant that I don’t think the school should specially recognize things like getting above a 220 on the PSAT when things like qualifying for usamo or even getting a great score on the SAT are entirely overlooked. I’m just kind of mad at how much emphasis schools put on this one little test as opposed to other incredible scholastic achievements. I’m sorry if I offended anybody!</p>
<p>(The reason this bothers me is because I know some really smart kids that didn’t make nmsf but do other amazing things yet our school does absolutely nothing to credit them otherwise. I don’t mind being recognized myself :P)</p>
<p>I’m happy with our school’s response. They only had 2 in the district, so a pretty big deal here. Name on the marquee, picture on the web site, picture on the wall at the HS, principal took them out to lunch. Names printed in the Dallas newspaper. Expect to at least hear it at graduation. Yes, I do think being in the top <1% is a big deal…</p>