I just found out that I’m a National Merit Semifinalist. Should this go on my application, or would that seem like a repetition of my high SAT scores?
If I do list it on my Common App, is this a State/Regional or National award?
Will it look like I didn’t make it to the finalist level if I don’t make some note that the process is still ongoing? I don’t want to seem presumptuous by adding “likely NMF as well.”
i wouldn’t bother. Because if your scores are high, colleges know everyone with high scores is a merit scholarship person
Definitely add it to your application. Finalists aren’t notified until February, so it won’t look like you didn’t make it to finalist . Each state has a different SAT score which qualifies for semi finalist award.
If you have room for it, yes, list it. Every year kids ask the same thing about whether colleges will think they didn’t make finalist if they put semifinalist. You can’t put finalist, because you haven’t gotten there yet. Colleges understand this and know that most semifinalists will become finalists. Congratulations and good luck with the rest of the competition!
Congratulations and, yes, list it as an academic award. The NMSC will send a list of all semifinalists (by high school) to four year US colleges and universities, but you may as well make it easier for them to see you qualified.
REMINDER - don’t forget to have your highest SAT official score sent to NMSC by 12/31/18 for full award consideration! Call the SAT program at 866-756-7346 domestic or 212-713-7789 international and make sure to have scores sent to NMSC (code 0085)
Being a semifinalist is a very nice feather in your cap, but being a finalist is even nicer - it’d be a shame if someone didn’t qualify due to not sending their SAT scores.
It is a State/Regional award, and yes, I’d list it.