If you don’t have any data points for your state right now and want to take a glass half full view, if you have a SI any place above Art’s 5 point ranges you have to feel pretty encouraged by today’s early reports.
What are arts 5 point ranges?
Most of them are 3 to 4 point ranges.
Pa is 217-220. Are there only 5 point ranges? I didn’t realize that
While everybody is taping their toes on the ledge…
Found this interesting article: http://www.diycollegerankings.com/50-50-highlights-118-colleges-for-national-merit-scholars/12039/
Love reading all the excitement from those that have learned they got it! well deserved.
And for those of you in the Houston area, we continue to pray for you and send drying hugs your way.
@essemena2000 There wasn’t too much stressing about finalist cut last year. The students facing obstacles to finalist aren’t many, and already know about it (whatever it is).
You are right, 3, 4 or 5 point ranges, sorry.
Come on @Winky1, keep up!!! Just kidding. He has the blog with the predictions people in this thread keep referring to. In his predictions he provides an estimated range and then a precise estimated score within the range.
@flatKansas I have a C and plenty of B’s 
soo I need people to stress with me/tell me what I can do to help my chances at Finalist
Sorry @P85047
Teenage slang can be pretty confusing.
Yes, the 223 SI Cutoff is exactly like what Art predicted, which is why I praised him.
Second, I listed the exact PSAT score that I got (same as @vickyychen 's son) just to confirm my score index.
Pump the breaks, @loukydad!! Lol! I know about art and the ranges. The way you said 5 score ranges, I thought there were literally 5 of them and that I missed some detail. I’m here front and center!
@essemena2000 are you a student? We parents can offer some advice for your Finalist application if you advance to NMSF. Do you know if you’ve made the NMSF cut already? (sorry if I’ve missed that post) Right now, the most important thing you can do is keep your grades up to the very best of your ability (without undue stress - because it’s important to manage your stress level).
What state are you in (if you don’t mind saying) and what class was your C in? Was it a semester C, a year-end grade, a quarter grade or what? Was it an Honors or AP class?
Once you’re sure your SI makes your state cut-off, you might want to start a separate thread where posters can chime in to provide advice for your Finalist application. As a student, please be sure not to reveal any personally-identifying info in any of your posts - but we parents can guide you in a general way. @mom2collegekids is a wealth of info on this topic, so if you start a thread I’m sure she would also hop on to give some good advice.
@GreenPoison - Thank you for the explanation and congratulations on your score.
@GoAskDad I’m a student and, based on the information in this thread, I made the Semifinalist cut with a 219 in Florida. My C was one semester in an AICE (don’t know if y’all know Cambridge courses but roughly equivalent to IB) Mathematics second semester. I’m trying to meet with my GC tomorrow to talk about National Merit and such but then I’m hoping to make a thread about it - any parental insight would be helpful! Since my C, second semester sophomore year, I’ve kept up mostly A’s and B+'s with a few B’s too, and I’m hoping/expecting all or mostly all A’s this semester with some easier AP’s and AICE classes. But I don’t know how to make up for my C and my subpar unweighted GPA (like 3.49)
@essemena2000 You make a solid decision in your college choice, even if it is below what you had hoped for, and you kick butt. All these kids (or parents talking about their kids) with super high test scores and grades won’t necessarily be super successful (by their definition) or happy (my definition). There is more to life than a test or a grade in a class. When some of these kids realize that, it will be too late. My advice is to work hard AND make lots of friends. Do both and you will be successful.
@essemena2000, you need to ask your guidance counselor what your school’s transcripts look like. In our county, only end-of-year grades are shown, not quarter or semester grades. Your C may be invisible.
@essemena2000 Your situation sounds similar to that of my older DS, so I can offer some advice when you create that thread.
Since you’re meeting w/your GC tomorrow, may I suggest that you ask for a copy of your transcript as it will be sent to National Merit (if you feel comfortable with that - I suspect @mom2collegekids would suggest the same). How that C appears on the transcript to NMSC may make a difference. Additionally, your GC will need to go to bat for you in the GC-required material sent to NMSC. I believe the counselor may write a letter of rec for you, or something similar. It’s important for your GC to be on your side - a cheerleader for you, if you will. He or she will have the opportunity to explain that “C” from his/her perspective. I suggest you discuss it frankly with your GC and explain any extenuating circumstances without trying to make “excuses.” In general, I believe most GC will WANT you to be named a NMF, so this is your chance to provide that GC with any additional info he/she may need.
I hope others will chime in here, as well. And I think @Huskymaniac gives good advice, too.
See you all for Round 2 of the fun tomorrow & I hope the cut-offs are kind to everyone !!!
Nevada is in at 217. See comment at Art’s. 217 is one point higher than his “most likely” projection, but still inside his projected range. Comment says 217 is the cutoff, but I suppose it’s possible that 217 is the commenter’s own score instead.
Oh boy! Nevada is very close to California (location)!
So I talked to my counselor today, asking about when they would tell students that they qualified as a semifinalist. She said she had no idea, that wouldn’t be released to students, and to call College Board for more info. Very helpful. :-S
Meanwhile, I’m just stumbling on the edge with a 222… “Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya! Tomorrow! You’re always a day away”…
@sewin2music Given what we know about NJ, I’m feeling pretty good for 222 in CA. 
Tomorrow, and tomorrow and tomorrow…