<p>Has anyone gotten the National Merit Commended awards yet (for the 2009 PSAT)? </p>
<p>My index wasn't high enough to be considered for the semifinalist standing, and I received a letter in April offering the "College Plans Reporting Service." The letter goes on to say that because I was part of the top 50,000, 16000 will move on to be semifinalists, while "34,000 other high scorers will be designated Commended Students." </p>
<p>Should I not list this on my Common App?</p>
<p>I received a “Letter of Commendation” from the National Merit program (it was distributed through my school). It’s not all that impressive but I list it under my awards/achievements. It puts you in the top like 3% of test takers, though hopefully your real scores will be more impressive.</p>
<p>Oh so it was distributed through your school and you didn’t receive it at your home address? </p>
<p>I agree it’s not impressive but it’s better than nothing. I haven’t received anything at home yet; perhaps my school is just holding it?</p>
<p>Yes, through the school. I’m assuming they all go through the school, as there is a blank for the principal’s signature. Though I never recall receiving the letter you describe, that information is on the back of my little recognition card thing. I got mine, oh I don’t know, early October. The letter is marked “September 2010”. </p>
<p>You should probably ask a counselor or something. I would go ahead and list it, even if you don’t get the Letter of Commendation. Not like admissions are going to ask for a photocopy, and if you received that original letter, that should be official enough.</p>
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Unless you have a more prestigious award to put, I would go ahead and list it.</p>