<p>How selective is National Merit Finalist? I've already been named a Semifinalist, what are my chances of being a Finalist and what do they look at?</p>
<p>90% of semis become Finalists.</p>
<p>Did you receive a packet with information about the process of selecting Finalists? If I remember correctly, they look at your SAT scores, grades (GPA?), activities, leadership, essay, and recommendation. But since 9 out 10 people advance to Finalist standing, as long as you don’t bomb the SAT or fail any classes, and write a decent essay, you’ll become a Finalist.</p>
<p>16,000 people become semifinalists. Then 15,000 of semifinalists become finalists. </p>
<p>If you made semifinalist and submitted your packet, you’re quite likely a finalist.</p>
<p>okay. good to hear, will a C+ screw me over?</p>
<p>Not if your overall GPA is good. And was the C+ a “year end” grade or just a quarter grade? </p>
<p>Most hs transcripts don’t show quarter grades…they just show “year end” or semester grades…</p>
<p>As long as you follow all the rules…dot all your i’s and cross all your t’s - and you aren’t a discipline problem at your school, you’lll likely make it. Last year a student didn’t make it to NMF, but that was because he wrote a sarcastic essay putting down the PSAT…a really dumb thing to do.</p>
<p>C+ was a semester grade.</p>
<p>3.91 though so I think i’m good. However, it was in the second semester of junior year.</p>
<p>I am under the impression that all semifinalists who submit the required materials are automatically finalists.</p>
<p>^ Not true. If your SAT score is really low, it will knock you out. If your GPA is really low, it will knock you out. (The C+ will not be a problem.) If you have been suspended from school for an egregious violation, it could knock you out. But for the most part, as you can see, most folks will make it.</p>