<p>What does the essay have to do with the National Merit Scholarship process?</p>
<p>From what I understand, it only impacts your chances at the scholarship and not at finalist standing, right?</p>
<p>Did you get your packet already?</p>
<p>Arg. I haven't gotten anything from my school. I think a 225 score would be acceptable, so I'm really worrying...unless CA has a killer curve.</p>
<p>I think it is for finalist standing, but I doubt that the quality really matters that much. Most semi-finalists become finalists - the ones that don't are the outliers, with really horrible GPAs or really horrible SAT scores. I wouldn't worry that much about it.</p>
<p>No... The packets dont come out till September, at least. I think he/she is just wondering.</p>
<p>Yeah, I'm just wondering.</p>