<p>I'm going to be a junior this coming fall and I have to take my psats and all that good stuff. If I study, I really think that my scores will be good enough to semi. The problem is, in school, my GPA isn't the best. </p>
<p>Question 1: Since I can't final with inconsistent and sub-stellar grades, is there even a point in trying to semi? As in, are there advantages to just being a semifinalist</p>
<p>Question 2: I still have a year to bring up my GPA before semifinalists are even announced, what would my GPA need to look like to become a finalist (is this a possibility with it being a bit inconsistent)?</p>
<p>THANKS GUYS, just trying to clear things up before the year starts!</p>
<p>An upward trend in your GPA may show through, but it depends on what your current gpa is and how it fluctuates.
Studying PSAT is basically studying for SAT so yes, you’re going to take the SAT sooner or later your junior year so go for it! </p>
<p>Aside from the GPA factor, try to make yourself standout MORE as a competitor… such as your achievements outside of class</p>
<p>If you take a look at this timeline for the 2014 competition (<a href=“Redirect Notice”>Redirect Notice) you’ll see that while Semifinalists get notified in September of senior year, the Finalists will not be notified until February of senior year. By then, you will have already submitted your college apps, so the only thing that can go on college apps is the Semifinalist status. </p>
<p>So, I’m not completely sure as to what your eligibility for scholarships would be if you became a Semifinalist vs. Finalist, but you have the chance to put National Merit Semifinalist on college apps, which is only something ~1% of the 1.5 million entrants can brag about.</p>
<p>GPA doesn’t necessarily determine how well you will do on the ACT/SAT/PSAT…
unless you almost know for certainty that you can become a finalist you better study up</p>
<p>In the past couple of years it seems like one or 2 Cs on a transcript are enough to prevent someone from advancing from semi to finalist, if that helps clarify. Obviously becoming a finalist is important if you are looking at NMF linked merit scholarships which there are plenty. So that’s why the OP’s question is pertinent. </p>