National Merit Recognition 2014

Test Preparation
1

<p>I took the PSAT as a junior in October 2012 and got a 211. I live in Idaho.... if that is necessary information haha. I've tried to do research about how the National Merit program works, but I'm pretty confused. Am I supposed to find out this month if I made some sort of cutoff? Is the cutoff by state, or it is national? DID I MAKE IT?! Ugh I'm dying to find out. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>The PSAT is a weird gig. But there are several good threads on this site that explain the multiple steps of the scholarship process. Anyway, I believe the NMSF scores will not come out until Oct of your senior year. GL</p>

3

<p>Commended list should have been sent to school this week.</p>

4

<p>I’m almost positive that you are commended because in NJ, where the curve is generally a bit tougher, a score of 211 is definitely commended. I’m not so sure about being a semi-finalist though</p>

5

<p>For the PSATs, there are three levels you can reach:

  1. Commended
  2. Semi-finalist
  3. Finalist</p>

<p>I don’t know much about being commended, but if you make the cutoff score for being a semi-finalist, they’ll notify you around August or later of your senior year. The cutoff score depends on the year and the state. I think the cutoffs range from around 210 to 223.</p>

<p>If you become a semi-finalist, then you’ll have to do some additional stuff, including writing a short essay. You’ll be notified around March of your senior year if you become a finalist. From then on you can get some scholarship money.</p>

6

<p>OP, go the financial forum. On the top of the financial forum there is a link that says National Merit Scholarships. When you go into this forum there are a few links on top that explain the entire process. You can also post some questions there and very knowledgeable people will help. They can even tell you what the cut-off for Idaho was last year so you will get an idea if you might even be close to being a semi-finalist. Good luck.</p>

7

<p>You will definitely be commended. Always either 200 or 201. Don’t know about your specific state for NMSF. Official numbers will not be out until October of next year.</p>

8

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/1379508-official-national-merit-semifinalist-qualifying-score-thread-class-2013-a-55.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/1379508-official-national-merit-semifinalist-qualifying-score-thread-class-2013-a-55.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>You will find out in September. But every year there is a thread: 'National Merit Semifinalist Qualifying Score Thread for 20XX" and about page 40-50 results start coming in in late August when some people get notified early by their schools. So you can find out a bit earlier. Looks like you have a very good chance. Idaho was 207 last year and 211 the year before. Check back more years on the threads to see if it’s ever been higher. U of Idaho, Moscow offers free ride to NMFs. You will need to make finalist to be eligible for the best scholarships. Don’t get more than 1 C, or 2 at most. No Cs is better. And take the SAT, get score about 2000. There are lots of informative threads in National Merit forum.</p>

9

<p>The cut off for commended is 203.</p>

10

<p>Here is a link to the 2014 cutoff scores for all states.
[FairTest</a> Press Release: National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Scores Vary Greatly State-By State | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org/fairtest-press-release-national-merit-scholarship-2013]FairTest”>http://www.fairtest.org/fairtest-press-release-national-merit-scholarship-2013)</p>