<p>So I studied really, really hard for the PSAT because I wanted national Merit, and the money that goes with it. I made a 216. I live in Texas, and the top 99% this year for us was at 212. To me,this makes it sound like it will be around 215-216. However, I heard that an advisor at my friends school got an email saying 217-218 tentatively, because he works with/has worked w/ college board. I am unsure if that was just a rumor, or what, but it has scared me regardless. It would destroy my admission chances to my top 5 schools if I didn't get national merit, because I have a low gpa to start with. </p>
<p>Can anyone tell me if there could be any truth to these rumors, and how high above the 99% national merit typically is? I am looking for some consolation here, so if you have anything the say, please say it.</p>
<p>According to various sites, the Texas cutoff for classof 2012 (tested Oct 2010) was 219. It was 215 for the hs class of 2011. How high the qualifying number is depends on what that 99th percentile is, no? And, this won’t be released til August. Sorry.</p>
<p>I understand all of that, I was wondering if anyone would be able to confirm such an email may actually exist or it was a rumor. I would also be interested in hearing the 99% cutoff for past years, because the nmsq cutoffs are online, but I dont see 99% cut offs.</p>
<p>In case you did not already find it, there is a National Merit forum, in the Financial Aid section, with some very informative members. I think you are asking if you will make semifinalist in your state. Any tentative cutoff information is speculative, so I assume that you have heard a rumor. Try this link:</p>
<p>^That link is considered to be the resource for cutoff info.</p>
<p>Also, if the cutoff is based on the 99th percentile, then aren’t cutoff and 99th percentile one and the same? With a less than great gpa, you still need good SAT scores, a good app package and applications to the right colleges that will like your profile. Are you putting your efforts in the right place?</p>
<p>"Isn’t the cutoff the top 0.5% of test takers? "</p>
<p>this is from the above link:</p>
<p>“Juniors need a high selectivity index score in the 99 percentile range. Not
all students in the 99 percentile range will be National Merit Semifinalists.
Each state has a different cut off for the selection of National Merit
Semifinalists”.</p>
<p>menlopark mom, I am the class of 2013; the cut off has not been announced, but I am fairly sure it isnt 219. That was for last year, the class of 2012. I resent your jab at my ego.</p>
<p>jason,<br>
I have been on CC for 8 years helping kids find schools that offer NMSF $$, and in 8 years the NMSF cut off scores have NEVER gone down. ever. the “horse” is dead. its time to bury it , get realistic and expand your search.</p>
<p>National merit is great if you get it (mostly for purposes of merit scholarships) but hardly damning if you don’t. I don’t see why you’d need to do something so drastic as revise your list of colleges <em>just</em> because you fell a few points shy of some cutoff.</p>
<p>Focus on getting the best SAT/ACT scores you can. Nearly all of the opportunities available to National Merit Semifinalists are also available to students who rock the SAT/ACT (regardless of PSAT performance).</p>
<p>EDIT: Of course, I assume that your main concern is chances of admission. If you’re mainly concerned about merit money AND if the schools you’re looking at have special scholarships available ONLY to National Merit Semifinalists or whatever, then I agree that you should expand your search.</p>
<p>While it is true that cutoff scores generally stay the same or gradually increase, that is not always the case as suggested by MENLO. I spent about 90 seconds ascertaining that both North Carolina and Ohio have both seen DECREASES after increases in cutoffs. Other states may add to the list. The College Board is the best source and the test maker looks honestly from year to year to see how each class performs before establishing the benchmark.</p>
<p>Sorry, but the elephant in the room is that you said your gpa was low. </p>
<p>This quote rather explains why some of us suggest you keep looking:
*Winning a National Merit Scholarship depends on your academic record, PSAT and SAT scores, extracurricular and leadership experiences, and an essay. Other factors include recommendations from your school, your school’s curricula and grading system, and your state residency. Your career or the college you select may also be factors. *</p>
<p>So, there’s more needed than a super focus on the PSAT. Perhaps your college search has already been solid- we don’t know. Or maybe when you say “low gpa,” it’s that CC thing where you think a 3.9 is subpar. We don’t know. </p>
<p>No one will know the Texas cutoff til August.</p>
<p>I have the gpa to meet the requirements for national merit scholar, after I make finalist. Typically they want kids to have at least a B average from what I hear, so thats not my problem. While my gpa is low( well below average at a 3.7ish weighted, or a 92.8ish on a 100pt scale) for top schools, I have taken the highest classes available with the exception of one class throughout my highschool career. This leads me to believe it is good enough to get me into many schools with the exception of the top 30 or 40. In other aspects, I am in range for top schools with my 212 sat (1440 cr+math, which will go up), my fair to good extracurriculars, awards, and research position. </p>
<p>I don’t see national merit as an award to help make up for my lack of gpa, but It would certainly help to balance it out. Obviously, not obtaining the award would not hurt me, but gaining such an item could be the small boost I need to go where I want.</p>
<p>MenloparkMom, I do not know where your sources come from, but I can guarantee you that there are frequent decreases and increases in the cutoff from year to year. I am not sure if you misinterpreted my question, but it leads me to question your qualifications. If you are trying to impart genuine knowledge, sorry if I seem pompous, but if you are just another ■■■■■, this isn’t the time of place.</p>
<p>^ OP, MenloparkMom quoted that “Juniors need a high selectivity index score in the 99 percentile range. Not all students in the 99 percentile range will be National Merit Semifinalists. Each state has a different cut off for the selection of National Merit
Semifinalists”. - MenloparkMom is correct. The cut off scores are differ from each state, AND, each year. That’s why you have to wait to know your state cut off score for your class.</p>