<p>My husband is tired of me venting to him about this, so thought I'd just throw it out there to the group to see if I'm being silly :-)</p>
<p>The cutoff scores are out for the Class of 2010 for National Merit Semi-Finalists. S. would have made NMSF for our state, but because boarding schools have their own category (and I believe that it's the highest in the country), he just misses it (we live in the same state as the school that he goes to.) We live in a state that has a fairly high score to begin with, so I feel bad that he doesn't make it! Does anyone else feel this way or am I way out of line?</p>
<p>Truthfully, although I understand HOW they decide why states have different cutoff scores, I don't really know why this works as it does. They all take the same test, so why should someone with a 220 in one state not get SF status, while another student in a different state can make it with a 205?</p>
<p>It’s just a way to try to provide all students, in all states, an equal opportunity. If you look at public schools, many state public school systems are failing their students. It’s not the student’s fault. So - they distribute the NMF across the states. My son also just missed. I’m disappointed, and I know that he will be ok. He’s smart, has strong scores and grades. He’s had opportunities. He too goes to a private school. His hard work and exposure to a great academic environment will help him succeed. It sounds like your son will also make it. Try not to dwell on it. Focus what your son has accomplished and help him work on his applications and college selections. It’s the only thing you both have control over at this point.</p>
<p>Thanks…I know that you’re both right (and I do understand the process and why they distribute the awards evenly across states). But, as I said - just a vent And thanks for the reminder that he has a lot going for him and this won’t hurt him in the long run. In fact, it doesn’t bother him at all. I think this is one of those things that I need to take a lesson on from the kid :-)</p>
<p>I imagine that just missing NM SF won’t really matter. His SAT scores will , doubtless, be in line with the PSAT numbers and schools will see that. It is tough to have a kid in a ‘hard’ state - we are in MA - so I understand your venting.
Remember that a great deal of the logic behind NM is finding those kids who haven’t got a leg up. It’s a cheap test that is easy for everyone to get access to and does a fine job of finding some diamonds in the rough.</p>
<p>Yes, true on all counts. His SAT scores were actually much better than his PSAT numbers, so that’s a good thing. Oh well…time to let this go! :-)</p>
<p>There doesn’t seem to be as much emphasis on NM at the strong boarding schools as in the public world, where in many cases this is the first standardized test the kids have taken and care about. (Anyone going for NM status wouldn’t have to worry about the NCLB tests.) What was the prep school cutoff score anyway?</p>
<p>I don’t officially know it, but last year it was the same as the highest in the country (DC and a few others - I think MA and NJ). DC this year is 221, so I’m assuming that’s what it will be. I may be wrong, but that would be my guess…
BTW - what is NCLB test?</p>
<p>NCLB = no child left behind - meaning, generally, the various tests in public schools to show how kids are doing generally (intended to show school performance rather than child performance)
I would expect there to be less emphasis on NM at the strong boarding schools - most of the kids there won’t need that leg up, and will have plenty of other things to show to colleges. NM , again, is meant to find the diamonds in the rough. Think in terms of the really smart kid in a small, rural high school that doesn’t even have AP classes. He or she has fewer ways of demonstrating ability to the colleges.
For the vast middle range of public school kids and for some private school kids, NM does also serve well as practice for the SATs, particularly since there is no risk. Kids who blow a section need not worry because no college will ever know.</p>
<p>Again, remember that the point is to find the diamonds in the rough. Some states, particularly in New England, have considerable populations of boarding school students, all of whom are quite smart. It would not be fair to the kids of, for example, New Hampshire, to have to compete with the kids from Brewster, Cardigan,High Mowing,Holderness, Kimball Union, New Hampton,Philips Exeter, St. Paul’s and White Mountain.</p>
<p>I’ll join you, my2sunz. While objectively I understand the rationale expressed by others quite well, it is natural to want the best for your child. I too would like to see mine earn NMS status, not so much for the honor but for the chance to qualify for full scholarships offered to NMS recipients! </p>
<p>When we relented to D’s arguments as to why she should go to BS, we knew paying BS tuition would come at the expense of our college savings. When you add the market collapse to the equation, it means her choices of colleges will be limited by what we can pay - much more so than would have been the case had she attended our local public school. She knows that too. When S was applying to colleges last year we became aware of how many schools offer full or hefty partial scholarships to NMS recipients. We believe she may beat our state’s cutoff, but beating the boarding school cutoff is probably too much to ask. </p>
<p>So, I understand that BS students are considered privileged and all that. I admit to the double standard. I want disadvantaged kids to have opportunities, but not at the expense of my child! I want her to have it all. No crime in that.</p>
<p>to the OP … I understand your vent … I once commented that the title “National” merit scholar is a little odd when the system has essentially state-by-state quotas. The rules are known in advance and valid case can certainly be made for the current set-up. In our case my comments were strictly a vent since NM status (or not) did not play into my oldest search for money for college … the set-up would bug me more if we were looking for the NM money.</p>
<p>Whoa, I never knew that boarding schools were their own category. Is this only for NE boarding schools or all boarding schools? I go to one in CA and want to know if the CA or the BS cutoff applies to me.</p>
<p>PBush, I believe that it’s decided by the percentage of boarding students in a school. Under a certain percentage of boarding students, the school is judged by its state requirements. Above a certain percentage of boarding students, and the school falls into the boarding school category, which is usually more difficult. Your college counseling department should know your school’s situation.</p>
<p>lux
I hear you, but most of the schools your D will probably apply to do not accept the NM scholarship anyway (eg SIvy)
And yes PBush, PS are considered their “own state” for NM data so the cutoff does apply to you.</p>
<p>^^I believe you are mistaken. Any college will accept a NM scholarship, typically a 1-year payment of $2500 toward tuition. What I believe you meant, and are correct in this, is that there is a limited number of schools that give their own scholarships - part- or full-tuition - to NM scholars. The Ivies do not.</p>
And thanks for the reminder that he has a lot going for him and this won’t hurt him in the long run. In fact, it doesn’t bother him at all. I think this is one of those things that I need to take a lesson on from the kid :-)</p>