<p>One thing about the National Merit test is that kids take it cold: no tutoring, no prep, no multiple sittings, cherry-pick the best scores--in short, like the SATs when I was in high school many years ago. Or am I being naive?</p>
<p>
[quote]
I think in today's college environment the NMF status is an honor more than anything else.
[/quote]
I completely disagree. I see very little honor in an award that is based pretty much solely on one score from an 1.5 hour test that some kids find to be quite easy.
However the potential for merit money from it is very real, and students who really NEED that money in order to be able to attend college do pay attention to it, and build their college lists accordingly.
Sure, many do not get any monetary award. But they have a choice to get one, which is what counts.</p>
<p>
[quote]
One thing about the National Merit test is that kids take it cold: no tutoring, no prep, no multiple sittings, cherry-pick the best scores--in short, like the SATs when I was in high school many years ago. Or am I being naive?
[/quote]
Are you kidding? Tons of kids take the test first time as sophomores, as a "practice". Many also take one as freshmen, apparently. And I am sure that many are prepping - officially or not.</p>
<p>Honor? I don't see that. </p>
<p>An achievement? Yes. </p>
<p>I see no difference in preparing for it since as an adult I almost always prepare for something when I need to shine.</p>
<p>
[quote]
S should have turned down a near full ride in scholarship money at Ivies and Ivy-equivalents in order to accept a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship somewhere or maybe Arizona State.
[/quote]
What?</p>
<p>He could take the $2500 anywhere if he got it - including to the Ivies.</p>
<p>Or he could take $80,000 from USC and go there.</p>
<p>Or he could get a free ride at the schools that give free ride to NMFs.</p>
<p>The point is that NMFs have choices that would make college affordable for those who could not afford it otherwise.</p>
<p>07DAD,</p>
<p>I think it is wise to prepare, especially for those who count on the award in order to pay for college.</p>
<p>nngmm: ok, ok, so they take a practice test soph year: I was thinking of the massive outlay for tutoring, practice, takes and retakes of the SAT. My point is that SAT was originally meant to be a test of native reasoning ability, to discover kids without the benefit of a high-powered prep school education who might be Harvard material, not of whose parents spend the biggest bucks, or who is most clever ar gaming the test.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Quote:
the award/title is worth it; it's up to you whether or not you use the opportunity to get money-you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink-those ivy-league kids are all just turning down other opportunities-let them b/c they go where they want to, but they shouldn't complain </p>
<p>You're absolutely right: S should have turned down a near full ride in scholarship money at Ivies and Ivy-equivalents in order to accept a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship somewhere or maybe Arizona State.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Several years ago, there was a student who attended a private HS where he excelled. His parents had really stressed a particular Ivy as their son's goal. The son had the profile to get accepted there. However, both parents had their degree from a particular in-state public school and the son apparently had checked that school out. The son was a NMF and checked the in-state school as his first choice on the NMF form and applied there and got admitted with a full, full, full ride. He got accepted at the Ivy too.</p>
<p>Turns out the student knew his grandparents (deceased) had set up an educational trust that dissolved and distributed any remaining assets to him the earlier of his receipt of his Batchelor's Degree or reaching age 30. </p>
<p>Yep. He accepted the in-state public from which his parents graduated. He informed his parents after the fact. Needless to say, his parents were shocked, but they got over it (took Mom a little longer). He picked up the check for the (untouched) trust assets when he graduated at age 22.</p>
<p>One more point, if you do not get it, but have everything else, you still going to get an awesome Merit $$ from schools that give good Merit awards. And if a kid continues to do very well in college, there are much more Merit $$ for subsequent years (D got $6500 just for sophmore year in additional to her numerous renewable Merit $$) So, NMF is not the end of the world, but it is nice to have and certainly worthwhile to prepare for PSAT.</p>
<p>Of course it is an honor and my kids list it as such on their resumes and applications. To say there is “little honor” in this achievement is disrespectful to the program and all of its participants. Just on this thread I have read parents state that they were NMFs. All these years later and it is still a title they recall and of which they are proud. Furthermore, there are many honors that are based on a test, the math and science olympiads come to mind as does the presidential scholarship program. Math and science olympiads are based on several levels of testing whereas the presidential scholarship, similar to the NM program, is based on achieving a certain score on a test (SAT) and them completing an application process. I am proud my children have earned this honor, regardless of whether money comes with it. Colleges that do not particpate in the program still keep track of how many NMFs are enrolled at the university because the schools see it as an honor reflecting back on the institution.</p>
<p>well just about the practicing and preparing-no one in my school, including me, knew that the PSAT was connected to a scholarship competition; i just made the finalist cut-i live in PA, so the cutoff isn’t outstanding but it’s pretty respectable; all i did was take the one practice test that comes w/ the book the night before, so i don’t get why most kids would worry</p>
<p>I wouldn’t put my nose up at a $2500 award. It just doesn’t buy what it used to be able to buy. It’s also a great honor. Some schools are more impressed with it than others, but schools do note it. You’ll often find that even the top schools that tell you it doesn’t count, do count their NMFs as you’ll see that number in their literature.</p>
<p>I have developed a healthy respect for the NMF scholarship. While it may or may not get a student a lot of $$ (YMMV), for many, including my s’s, some of the schools they applied to like to document how many NMF’s they have, and I do believe this was a factor that contributed to their acceptances. Whats wrong with another “hook” (as it were)? Older s got “need based” NMS money, which was their minimum offer ($750/yr) at his school. Younger s gets $2k/yr.These total 11K across their college years, which is fine by me. More importantly, I suspect it was one of the variables considered when youger s got his full tuition scholarship to his school, so if by any chance it was a factor that tipped the scales in his favor, then it will mean it contributed to his getting about $150K in additional scholarship money. No complaints here.</p>
<p>I’m one of those on the wrong side of the blurry line for need based financial aid. I would be struggling to pay for college, working, and taking out loans if it weren’t for my National Merit Scholarship. For people like me, the program makes all the difference in the world.</p>
<p>^^^ exactly, vividscribbler (love your SN, btw)</p>
<p>We told our kids how much we had saved up for college. younger s wants to go on to possibly met or pharm school, and doesnt want to be in hock up to his eyeballs. So he is saving as much as possible of the $$ earmarked for education to use for grad programs. Thank you scholarship $$…</p>
<p>I continue to notice that parents, like me, who view the college costs as a joint venture with their student see that a $2500 scholarship or $2000 a year for 4 years has “real” value.</p>
<p>Many people do not realize the value of the National Merit scholarship until after they’ve taken the 11th grade PSAT. I tell anyone who will listen of its value, and that they should take the PSAT seriously (not consider it simply a “practice test” for the SAT). It opens many doors and doesnt close any. Some people seem to take issue with the name “merit” because it measures performance on one particular day. This is true of all the standardized tests that are used for college admissions. The PSAT/NMF has benefitted both my kids and our wallet significantly. I have nothing but good things to say about it, and am honored that my kids earned this regognition. NMF’s are the top, very, VERY small percent of the students taking the exam. That is definitely worth recognition.</p>
<p>My husband was a NM scholar in the late 1970s, and that $1500 check that he received each year went a long way in paying for college. He said that other night that he graduated just $800 in debt, thanks to that merit money. </p>
<p>Our son is now a NM finalist, and he does not look at the program as overrated. The offers of full tuition and more mean opportunities that his friends do not have. He is considering one of those schools with big merit aid. </p>
<p>What NM has done is given my son some additional schools to consider, schools that were never on the radar screen until he become a NM semifinalist. The thought of graduating without debt is an attraction, especially since he is thinking law school or MBA. He has teachers who are out of school 20 years who are still paying off loans and will do so another five years.</p>
<p>My daughter was scheduled to go to D.C. the same week as the PSAT test during her junior year, and I casually mentioned to the guidance counselor that it probably wasn’t really necessary for her to take it–I thought that the main result was that it would put her on lots of mailing lists, which wasn’t so important. He advised me to reconsider, and so we changed plans and she took it—and much to our surprise, she became a NMF, and now is receiving full tuition and half room and board from our state university, as well as a number of other scholarships due to her finalist standing. I say a prayer of thanks every time I pass her GC’s office. She loves her school, is saving for post grad. education, and has been able to study abroad twice–we would never have been able to afford that if it had not been for her National Merit scholarship–it has been such a blessing!</p>
<p>Even if you don’t make the NM designation, a high SAT can make a big difference in merit money. My son was a B student with high test scores. He and his peers with similar test scores received some nice merit offers. Kids with higher grades but lower test scores did not get those offers.</p>