National Merit (PSAT)

Applying to College
1

<p>I was expecting to get semi-finalist/finalist score on the PSAT from my results from practice tests and such, but I had an off-day when I took the PSAT and scored 2 points below commended (35 points lower than my average scores from my 3 practice sessions I took over summer :( ). </p>

<p>Will not having national merit semi-finalist or commended status ruin my chances of getting into MIT/UPenn/etc.? </p>

<p>I got a 35 on my ACT.</p>

2

<p>No it won’t.</p>

3

<p>Yep, it definitely won’t. At this level, there’s so many kids with national merit semi that it doesn’t make anyone stand out. Other things are way more important than your score on one test.</p>

4

<p>Unless you wanted the merit scholarships at lower-ranked schools, no worries.</p>