<p>what do they consider for becoming a finalist, besides the score?</p>
<p>grades, essay, having a decent SAT score, but don't worry, becasue something like 15,000 of the 16,000 semifinalists become finalists</p>
<p>i haven't taken the SAT or the PSAT yet. Should I take the SAT if i find out that i'm a semifinalist, or take it soon after taking the PSAT?</p>
<p>hmmm tough question. it depends. If you felt good about how you did on the PSAT before you know your score or NM status, you could take it right after the PSAT. I would also take it if you were preparing fro the SAT and PSAT together, and if your practice SAT scores are where you want them. As long as you have the time to practice more, though, and the time to take the test three times and still get the scores to your EA/ED/rolling schools, you might as well wait. DOn't be worried about getting a good enough SAT score to go from semifinalist to finalist though, I hear that you would really have to bomb it to not make the cut.</p>
<p>so semi-finalists are announced in september, is that what I'm hearing? I'm kind-of confused about the process. My school authorities are a bit dim and miixed up; they kept calling the commended students at the end of the the last school year the "semi-finalists"</p>
<p>Sophomore year I had a 198. Junior year I had a 224. I didn't do any prep; just had some great teachers and did a lot of reading.</p>
<p>college2go-
Here's the link to the scores <a href="http://hseagle.sas.edu.sg/hscounseling/Tests/NMSCindex.htm%5B/url%5D">http://hseagle.sas.edu.sg/hscounseling/Tests/NMSCindex.htm</a></p>
<p>In addition to serving as a useful warm-up to the SAT Reasoning Test, the PSAT is also used as the initial screening tool for the National Merit Scholarship Program administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). A brief overview of the National Merit Program for 2007 (for students taking the PSAT in October 2005) is detailed below.</p>
<p>Qualifying
Unless you will graduate from high school a year early, only your junior year PSAT scores will be used. You must also be a US citizen or a permanent resident in the process of becoming a US citizen. Although taking the PSAT at one of the October administrations is the easiest way to qualify for the National Merit Program, the NMSC does provide alternatives to students who miss these dates. Contact the NMSC at 1-847-866-5100 for more information.</p>
<p>Selection Index
The initial stages of the Merit Program are judged entirely based on a student's selection index. The selection index is simply the sum of your 3 PSAT scores: Math, Verbal, and Writing. For example, a student with a 65M, 68V, and 63W would have a selection index of 65 + 68 + 63 = 196.</p>
<p>Commended Students and Semifinalists
In April 2006, 50,000 students with the highest selection indices will be notified and made eligible for NMSC referral service. In late September 2006, 34,000 of these students will be named Commended Students and the remaining 16,000 will be named Semifinalists. Only Semifinalists are eligible to advance further in the competition for Merit Scholarships.</p>
<p>Semifinalists are determined on a state-by-state basis, and the selection index cut-off varies by state and by year. Each state's allotment of semifinalists is determined based on its percentage of the national total of high school graduating seniors. [see jym626's post for the link to the most recent cutoffs for each state]</p>
<p>Finalists
Semifinalists who meet eligibility standards (students must submit an application, high school record, and SAT I scores among other requirements) will be among the 15,000 National Merit Finalists named in February 2007. The vast majoriy of seminfinalists easily advance to finalist standing.</p>
<p>National Merit Scholars
Beginning in March 2007 the NMSC awards 8,200 scholarships to students based upon their abilities, skills, and accomplishments. The three types of scholarships awarded are National Merit $2,500 Scholarships, corporate-sponsored scholarships, and college-sponsored scholarships. The only difference between a National Merit Finalist and a National Merit Scholar is that Finalists didn't get money and Scholars did.</p>
<p>Special Scholarships
Some corporations offer a number of scholarships to eligible students (for example, the children of employees) that are not filled entirely by Finalists. These 1,600 scholarships are called Special Scholarships and are chosen from applicants from among the qualified pool that the company has designated.</p>
<p>All I can say is that my son's private high school notified the 34 kids in the senior class (out of the 70+ S/F NM in the state of HI) that they have advanced to the semi/finalist NM round & have a meeting tomorrow at 7:15 for more info. Will see waht they tell him tomorrow. Fortunately for him, he fell on the "right side" of the bubble; his score was 214 last year. Good luck to everyone!</p>
<p>DEAR LEMONTEACAKE, </p>
<p>ME TOO. ONLY NEEDED TWO MORE PTS. </p>
<p>why must i live in maryland??? why not west virginia?</p>
<p>Does anyone know what New Jersey's cutoff is?</p>
<p>Commended is 202.</p>
<p>Hi, Are you positive the cutoff for Texas is 217.</p>
<p>Yes, the Texas cutoff is 217</p>
<p>What is the 2006 cutoff for NJ?</p>
<p>Does anyone know the 2006 Florida cutoff? I've heard it's 215.</p>
<p>anyone from Mo? cutoff 2006???</p>
<p>My counselor said that the Florida cutoff was 215.</p>
<p>my educated guess is that NJ's cutoff is 222. i don't know that for a fact, though.</p>
<p>does anyone know the Louisiana Cutoff?
and where can I find this information?</p>