<p>hey guys. i'm a junior and just got my PSAT scores from october back, and i was surprised to see that i had earned a 221 (quite the improvement from last year's 202, i didn't do any prep or anything...) in november, i also took my first SAT to see where i stand (again, blind. no prep.) and got a 2190. i was not counting on qualifying for the 2013 NMSC (for the 2012 competition, my school only has 2 semifinalists) but my scores were so much higher than expected, i googled past semifinalist cutoffs for my state, and it seems for the past 4 years they have alternated between 220 and 221. (so, in any of the past 4 years, i would make the cut.)</p>
<p>i really don't know anything about this program, and i know i have to wait until like september of this year to find out if my score qualified for a semifinalist. but i was just curious...do those cutoffs tend to fluctuate? if i have a 221 and the cutoff seemed to be within a point of that consistently, do i have a shot? or should i not get my hopes up?</p>
<p>and, if i were to become a semifinalist, how do my SAT scores look to move on to the next stage? i have a 790 reading, 710 math and 690 writing (kinda screwed up the essay). i plan on taking it again in march if that helps now that i know what i need to write in the essay.</p>
<p>thank you so much for any input you can offer me. i really appreciate it!</p>
<p>oh, and my score of 221 was at the 99th percentile, if you need that info.</p>
<p>You’ll need to wait until September to find out about National Merit Semi-finalist status. You are right on the cusp, and after this year’s gains, there’s no telling what will happen next year. </p>
<p>If you do make the cut-off in your state, your SAT score is high enough to move to the next level. But you also need a decent GPA, 3.3 or so with no D’s or F’s, and not many C’s. You have to have a clean disciplinary record. You’ll need to write an essay, and have your guidance counselor fill out some paperwork. The deadline is the middle of October.</p>
<p>On to the money factor. The National Merit people give out some one time $2500 scholarships. There are also some companies that give varying amounts to employees kids. Then there are the scholarships from the colleges. Some will give $1000 a year while other will give half to full tuition for 4 years and others that will give free rides.<br>
Look under the National Merit Scholarships forum. There are a number of schools that give substantial scholarships for NM. Find one or two you could see yourself at. Apply to them even if you think you are Ivy bound. It’s so sad to see every spring when some disappointed NM finalist finds out his parents can’t afford the schools he was accepted to and he has no financial safeties.</p>
<p>*i googled past semifinalist cutoffs for my state, and it seems for the past 4 years they have alternated between 220 and 221. (so, in any of the past 4 years, i would make the cut.)</p>
<p>*</p>
<p>What state are you in? Unless the cutoff for your state increases to 222+, you’ll make NMSF!</p>
<p>Over the last 5 years, Maryland has followed changes in the national percentile ranges very closely:</p>
<p>Year…99% range…MD Cutoff…Cutoff Compared to National Percentiles
2010…214-223…221…3rd highest in 99% range
2009…212-221…220…2nd highest in 99% range
2008…212-222…221…2nd highest in 99% range
2007…212-221…220…2nd highest in 99% range
2006…212-222…221…2nd highest in 99% range</p>
<p>So a 221 represents the highest selection index score in the 99th percentile range for the 2011 test. Only a few states have ever had a cutoff in the 99+ percentile range and MD has never been closer than 2 points from the 99+ range. So I’d say you are reasonably safe. If I had to guess, I’d say that MD will come in at 220 this year.</p>
<p>But whether you make National Merit or not, your future looks bright. Welcome to the “one percent” (academically, that is).</p>
<p>Don’t rest on your laurels quite yet. You should receive information (perhaps through the school guidance counselor) that asks you to complete the next steps to being a NMF. I think it includes a form to sign and a short essay to write. </p>
<p>You don’t want to skip these steps – it takes you from “candidate” to “winner” status – and gets you in the running for college scholarships. Good for you for this success though – it is a marvelous feather to have in your cap!</p>
<p>thank you all for the amazingly helpful information and guidance. it is invaluable, as I am the oldest and my family is still learning about the college application process. i am very excited but don’t worry, i won’t be resting on my laurels i made an appointment with my counselor as well as suggested, so I will be getting more information. thanks again!</p>
<p>Congrats on your scores, AND you win a prize!!
A spelling prize - since only about 10% of the posters here, including those in the parents’ forums (sadly), seem to know the difference between ADVICE and ADVISE. (a pet peeve of mine. Seems to be even worse than the LOSE vs LOOSE thing here…)</p>
<p>Congrats on both counts - you’re a smart one!</p>
<p>you are all very kind yes, my parents and i definitely need to have the ‘money talk’…part of the reason i’m so excited and hopeful about this opportunity is for the financial aid that often comes with it.</p>
<p>i will definitely be looking at all of these sources. i need all of the adviCe i can get! and thanks happymomof1, just paying tribute to my heritage there haha :)</p>
<p>Get a copy of “How to pay for college without going broke” by Chany – it’s worth having (or getting from the library and reading very carefully). </p>
<p>Arizona State and UArizona and U Oklahoma at Tulsa are some of the colleges that have a history of treating NMF very, very well.</p>
i made an appointment with my counselor as well as suggested, so I will be getting more information. thanks again!</p>
and thanks happymomof1, just paying tribute to my heritage there haha :)</p>