<p>I have looked and looked and can't find an explanation for how NM works. My son's counselor said it's the highest scorers among the semifinalists who make finalist and nothing else matters. I've read that all but 1,000 of the semifinalists make finalist but I know several semifinalists and no recent finalists. Does anyone know how the selection is made? Or is it just a well-kept secret?</p>
<p>From what I understand, NM looks at SAT scores as well as GPA and the essay. The last is less important than the first two factors.</p>
<p>There are no recent finalists because finalists won't be announced until later. </p>
<p>There are a few other threads which helped me out on this subject here in CC. Sorry I don't have the links but a search on CC will bring that info up.</p>
<p>You can also check the NMSQT Web site, which is probably somewhere on the College Board Web site.</p>
<p>From what I've learned, the 1,000 students who don't make finalist are those who do poorly on the SAT, have low GPA's, have been suspended or in other fairly serious trouble at school, etc. Considering 15,000 of the 16,000 semi's make it, there's got to be something out of the ordinary to keep a student from reaching finalist. </p>
<p>Where the essays, recommendations, EC's, etc., become very important is in selecting the actual NM Scholars. </p>
<p>At our school we usually have between 12 and 20 semi's, and in recent years they have all made finalist. The current juniors will find out next September if they are semi's, then they fill out the application and that's due in October. In February the semi's find out if they made finalist. In March the finalists find out if they got a corporate sponsored scholarship or the actual NM scholarship. There is a timeline at Gustavus Adolphus College's website: <a href="http://www.gustavus.edu/admission/experience/merit-timetable.cfm%5B/url%5D">http://www.gustavus.edu/admission/experience/merit-timetable.cfm</a> </p>
<p>There are numerous threads here which explain whole process. Do a "national merit" search in the 'parents forum' and the 'SAT/ACT forum."</p>
<p>Finalists are named in the spring. Something like 90%+ of semis make it.</p>
<p>I think the 1,000 or so who miss it have inconsistancey in their PSAT - SAT scores, GPA or have deciplinary problems.</p>
<p>My son blew off the semi-finalist-to-finalist paperwork (last year). I called to ask if he could submit it late. Yes. I asked what happened if you didn't submit it: you don't become a finalist. If you do: you do. So 1000 students a year don't care enough to apply.</p>
<p>Of those who become finalists, some will get money from their colleges (check with the colleges) and some will get scholarships from corporations or organizations (mostly because they have some sort of connection, like hometown or family). Most (about 2/3rds) get nothing but the little piece of paper.</p>
<p>dmd--you can submit the paperwork and not be a finalist. My son did. I assume his grades were what disqualified him.</p>
<p>I've kept this link at Carleton (which someone on this forum pointed me to) around because I've found it helpful. If you look at the menu of links at the top left you'll see the NMSC timetable and some other interesting things. Not quite the complete explanation you were looking for, but it helps round the information out.</p>
<p>cowpernia, the NM looks at the SAT scores to see if they 'back up' the scores on the PSAT. You must also submit an essay and a recommendation from your GC and they look at your GPA. Most semifinalists become finalists. I think they are just looking to see that there aren't any major glitches in your record. Since colleges give scholarships to finalists, the NM Board needs to make sure that they aren't giving out names of students who 'just' scored well on the PSAT and don't have other qualifications.</p>
<p>duh, the link:</p>
<p>For any sophomores/juniors or parents out there, if you miss the testing day for illness, there are ways to still participate in the contest if you act promptly. I don't remember the details, but that is also on the NMSF website. You can't miss for an activity or just "blow it off", but there is a way to make for illness.
DD took the PSAT sick because we thought there was no recourse, otherwise she ouwld have been home in bed that day, we didn't find CC until much later.</p>
<p>One kid didn't make it to finalist status from our hs. Smart kid, but didn't care to do the work for classes that he thought were boring, so GPA suffered. Kiss of death. . .</p>
<p>Uh oh...Cowpernia, back away from your keyboard slowly. Even so, it may already be too late.</p>
<p>I found College Confidential while Googling for an answer to a National Merit question three years ago. Some 20,000 posts later, I'm still here. Flee! Flee!</p>
<p>did you really write 20,000 or so?</p>