<p>Hi! </p>
<p>I saw this little article: National</a> Merit <a href="mailto:Scholarship@Everything2.com">Scholarship@Everything2.com</a>
and it made me think this is a pretty bright bunch, even if qualification is based on a little test, so I was wondering if other people who are Nat'l Merit Scholars wanted to share a little about themselves and where they're going to school? </p>
<p>Location: Upstate NY
Type of School: Public / 335 in Class of 2010
College Attending: Tufts! :)
Others Accepted Into: Wellesley, Vassar, Wesleyan, Mt Holyoke
PSAT: 218
SAT: 2330
ACT: 34
Academic Interests: writing, math, economics, psychology, philosophy, reading, biology, ethics
Extracurricular Interests: dance (bharatnatyam classical indian, bollywood, ballet, tap, jazz, modern), piccolo/flute, sculpture, drawing, teaching/education
Possible Major(s): Economics, Neuroscience</p>
<p>If you want to include anything else feel free :)</p>
<p>what were the selections based on? I had a 2390 SAT and didnt get selected. the application itself did not seem very informative.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>Did you take the PSAT?</p>
<p>I think it was almost totally based on PSATs all the way through. I got a 234 and I’m a finalist.</p>
<p>yeah of course lol. I got a 236</p>
<p>Stupefy, the National Merit Scholar selection is based on overall transcript (coursework undertaken and grades earned), evidence of community involvement, your essay, and the quality of your recommendations, in addition to the standardized test scores.</p>
<p>Location: Illinois
Type of School: Suburban Public, ~500 in class
College Attending: Williams College
Others Accepted Into: Williams ED! and Gustavus Adolphus in MN before withdrawing the 8 others
PSAT: 215 (I think…)
SAT: V:800 M:770 W:680
SAT II: 770, 770, 770
ACT: 34
Academic Interests: Math, econ, poli sci, development, languages, history, essentially any social science
Extracurricular Interests: Speech Team!!! Student Council, Debate Team, Math Team, Scholastic Bowl, National Honor Society, French Honor Society, Math Honor Society, National Forensics League
Possible Major(s): Political Economy?</p>
<p>Location: Nebraska
Type of School: Urban Public, ~500 in class
College Attending: Northwestern University
Others Accepted Into: University of Michigan, University of Illinois, University of Southern California
PSAT: 215
SAT: Forgot subscores, total 2160 I THINK
SAT II: Chem 760, Math 2 780
ACT: 35
Academic Interests: Engineering, physics, psychology
Extracurricular Interests: Band, Jazz Band, Show Choir Band, Robotics Club (founded), Senior Class Officer, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Academic Decathlon, Math Club
Possible Major(s): Materials Science & Engineering</p>
<p>Stupefly,</p>
<p>Are you saying that you weren’t given a NMSF package last fall from your school?</p>
<p>Are you a citizen/resident?</p>
<p>^no I was a finalist but didnt get the $2500 scholarship</p>
<p>Wait, how does one find out if he/she made National Merit Scholar?</p>
<p>they let you know they mail you stuff</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Let me make sure I understand the situation. You were nominated as National Merit Finalist but you did not get the $2500 scholarship?</p>
<p>If yes, then</p>
<p>[ol]
[<em>] Only about 2500 out of about 15000 students get that scholarship, so about 16%.
[</em>] It is on a state representation basis, so the number of scholarships is based on the state you live in. I think you live in PA and that may be a more competitive state than say W Va.
[li]For the $2500 scholarship, the SAT score is more of a validation that your PSAT score was legitimate rather than the basis of the scholarship. They do look at other things including your school recommendations, grades etc. If you GC marked you in the top 25% and someone else in your school as in the top 10%, then you may not get it.[/li][/ol]</p>
<p>Location: Maryland
Type of School: Urban Public, ~500 in class
College Attending: Cornell University
Others Accepted Into: University of Maryland- Full Banneker/Key Scholarship, Duke University, Johns Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon
PSAT: 213
SAT: 800W, 800M, 700R
SAT II: Math II 800, Math 1 780, Physics 650
Academic Interests: Comp Sci, Math
Extracurricular Interests: Wrestling, Tennis, Research, Tutoring</p>
<p><strong><em>National Merit Scholar</em></strong>Commended Student</p>
<p>Location: Kansas
Type of School: Suburban Public ~400 in class
College Attending: University of Kansas
Others accepted into: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of California-Berkeley
PSAT: 221
SAT: 2130
ACT: 35
Academic interests: sciences, especially chemistry, math, government
Extracurricular Interests: Amnesty International, math club, science olympiad, academic decathlon, local high school tv game show, National Honor Society
Possible majors: chemistry, chemical engineering</p>