<p>Consistency in academics can be shown in one's transcript, which is probably a much better indication of consistency in academics than the difference between one's PSAT and SAT score. </p>
<p>What evidence do you have that admissions officers look at how many times you took the SAT? I'm not convinced that they do, and I think they care much, much less about SAT scores than most people seem to think.</p>
<p>The PSAT doesn't mean anything for top schools. The only way a school knows your PSAT score is if you nominate them as your number 1 for the NM scholarship.
Nobody (with any sense at least) puts Stanford (or HYPS, etc) for their number 1 school to receive national merit money because all of the top schools don't give national merit money.</p>
<p>It COULD show consistancy, if the colleges had the scores. but they don't...</p>
<p>are you an admissions officer? See my previous post on this subject... my proof is that I actually asked an admissions officer from Princeton. what evidence do you have to show they don't look at them, other than just your opinion?</p>
<p>I really don't understand why you all are so insistant on trying to convince people they don't matter? Just believe what you want and I'll believe what I want and we'll all be happy. Differences in likes and dislikes is what makes everyone different which in turn is what makes all applicants different. Variety in activities is what makes the admissions process interesting.</p>
<p>Putting the school as your number one choice for NMSC could help your admission because it shows demonstrated interest in Stanford. It's you telling the world Stanford is your #1 choice, and you don't care there is no money involved.</p>
<p>I can't see it hurting your application if you aren't a NM Scholar. I can't see it making a tremendous difference in your application if you are. They most likely wouldn't take two borderline kids, and choose the one with the National Merit status. However, the above scenario might help in that situation.</p>
<p>I have a ?
What if I happen to be the only person named a Nat'l Merit and Nat'l Achievement Semi-Finalist in an entire school district
a very large school district (at least top 20 in terms of number of students)
Is that considered an award/accomplishment
or is it not viewed at all</p>
<p>Yeah, if you were awarded both Natl Merit Finalist and National Achievement/Hispanic Finalist, would that be worth much more than simply Natl Merit by itself?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Yeah, if you were awarded both Natl Merit Finalist and National Achievement/Hispanic Finalist, would that be worth much more than simply Natl Merit by itself?
[/quote]
Anyone who is NMF will also be Achievement/Hispanic Finalist if he is Af Am or Hispanic. Being a high scoring URM definitely helps.</p>
<p>Most NMFs list it as one of the national level awards, so the schools know.</p>
<p>Listing a school that does not participate in NMSC as a first choice makes no sense. Schools like Stanford don't really care about "demonstrated interest" anyway (they just assume that everyone is interested ;)).</p>
<p>
[quote]
what evidence do you have to show they don't look at them, other than just your opinion?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>how does a college get your PSAT score. You pay the collegeboard to send your SATs in, but not your PSATs. Colleges can pay to get a list of names that score within a certain range, but they don't know your specific score.
The only way that a school can have your PSAT score is if you put them as your #1 choice for national merit scholar.
I don't think this would make sense, and I've never heard of anybody putting a top school that doesn't give national merit for their #1 for merit aid. However, I must admit, i could understand what theloneranger was saying. However, I've never heard of somebody doing this.</p>
<p>Acturial DJ, you're not the only one (I happen to be both too). It's just as impressive as National Merit, which is a feather in your hat but definitely not going to make or break your app. Also, just because people here are saying it doesn't matter much doesn't mean you shouldn't put it on your app that you're national merit. That would be stupid.</p>
<p>Of course you should put NMF on your app. Just don't count on it to get you into Stanford (or worry that the lack of it will keep you out).</p>
<p>That wa the first thing I listed in academic honors
followed by one of my math awards and my AP scores</p>
<p>"Demonstrated Interest" actually matters a lot. It's one way they can tell who is genuinely interested in the school and who is just applying because it's Stanford. They will look more favorably upon you if you went to their info sessions, toured campus, did an optional interview, or anything else that they can trace to show that you are really interested in attending.</p>
<p>^^Actually, on their website, they specifically say that they "do not" consider level of interest...anyways we're all applying SCEA, basically showing we are pretty interested.</p>
<p>I agree with ace009711. When I went to the tour/info session, they specifically told us that they would not take our names because they don't record things like that. So visiting the school has no impact. I think Stanford just assumes that the majority of applicants are truly interested in Stanford.</p>
<p>That's true at Harvard and Yale as well. They do not track 'interest'. I am sure it's for the same reason - they assume everyone is interested, so don't want to use it as a factor in admissions.</p>
<p>angry rejectee: "wait what? how did I get rejected! I clearly demonstrated more interest than that dude!"</p>
<p>makes no sense, exactly</p>