<p>How do colleges look upon the NMSF referral letter? Are your scores reported or is it just a letter saying "he's a high scorer"? If scores are reported, let's say you barely made commended but have way better ACT scores, are you hurting yourself by sending the scores to the two colleges? S has a 201 PSAT, so it looks like he's commended--but also has a 34 ACT. He's not taking the SAT (except subject tests).</p>
<p>His ACT was taken before the PSAT. Would it look better to not send the letters and just have the "commended" status on his applications (so all they know is that he is somewhere in the range)? Or is it good to show an early interest? Or is this referral meaningless?</p>
<p>SCG, I think the early interest is only useful in a handful of cases (colleges that return early interest but not late - I've read WashU is one of those). I believe the letter just tells the school your son is a commended student. Have that sent and then send the ACT.</p>
<p>I suggest that if your son gets NM commended, to put that down under "awards" in the college applications. Also, speak to your high school college counselor and see if s/he recommends any thing else to do and/or see if there are any colleges which look particularly highly on NM commended.</p>
<p>I'm looking at the letter my daughter got from the NM "College Plans Reporting Service". PSAT scores ARE reported to the two colleges that you name. The response deadline is May 28, 2008. You have the option of responding at <a href="http://www.collegeplans.org%5B/url%5D">www.collegeplans.org</a> using the ID or password supplied (website only available until May 28) or by mailing the enclosed form by May 28. The letter states: "CPRS will provide your name, home address, high school name and address, 2007 PSAT/NMSQT scores, and tentative college major and career choice to the two colleges that you name. These reports to higher education institutions will be sent in the summer." Letter further states that not all colleges will act on the reports they receive, but of course we have no way of knowing who they are!</p>
<p>I know that later, if you become a National Merit winner, you give the names of 2 schools and your scholarship will be applied there. Are the two schools they're asking for now the same two schools?</p>
<p>I'm not 100% certain, but I don't think so. Conceiveably you could name two colleges now that don't participate in NM or you could name schools that participate in NM and not be admitted to them later on. I think this is simply an opportunity to say, hey, I'm a good test taker and I'm interested in your school.</p>
<p>Is there any strategy in this? For instance, say your first-choice-of-the-moment is an Ivy League school. Would you be better off selecting your second and third choices if they are liberal arts colleges that might take it as demonstrated interest as opposed to a school that gets thousands of them and will likely ignore it?</p>
<p>Some scools want to recruit NMSFs but do they care about being named as one of the two schools before they know if the student is commended or SF?</p>
<p>Are there schools recruiting commended students?</p>
<p>It seems like the "point" of the exercise is for students to demonstrate interest in 2 schools...is that correct?</p>
<p>I did this thing a few years ago. My parents wanted me to choose two Ivy League schools, which were huge reaches, but I thought my state school would give more consideration and appreciate it more. That turned out to be exactly the case.</p>
<p>NM doesn't mean much to top 20 colleges, because they get those all the time.</p>
<p>I'm in agreement with panic on this one. D intends to use hers at schools that are close matches or targets; I don't think telling an Ivy she's interested in them would be a surprise or result in any appreciable admissions treatment. I vote for showing some love to the safety-match schools.</p>
<p>I suggest that you search out colleges which give scholarships based upon National Merit Finalist status and put those schools down on your top two schools if you could honestly envision these schools at the top of your list.
There are universities which give a lot of scholarship money to NMF. See if you could be happy going to any of those schools. Look under scholarships or financial aid/merit aid for all universities under consideration.</p>
<p>Back to the original topic... if you know there's no way you'll make it to semifinalist, then I don't see a purpose to send the letters. The lower score (we're talking 201) probably outweighs the plus of early interest. Will put "NM commended" on the applications and send the good ACT score. Am I off in my conclusion?</p>
<p>SoCalGal09, a 201 puts your son in the top 3% of scorers. I think that's pretty good. To my way of thinking, college admissions next year are going to be even more competitive than this year; why not send the letters and show some love to a safety or match? Just my two cents, for what they're worth!</p>
<p>Socalgal, the colleges won't see the exact score - they will only see the interest from a "high scorer". Name the two schools and then send the ACT. There's no downside in doing so, and perhaps a little upside in showing interest in two schools.</p>
<p>Folks, look at the letter your child received. The second paragraph states:
"CPRS will provide your name, home address, high school name and address, 2007 PSAT/NMSQT scores, and tentative college major and career choice to the two colleges that you name. These reports to higher education institutions will be sent in the summer." I think it's pretty safe to rely upon what's written.</p>
<p>I think this may be a change from the past NM approach. The letter my son received two years ago did not mention that scores would be sent (and thus I called to clarify this issue). The letter above is quite clear. Thanks for posting this info - I will certainly stop giving what is now erroneous advice!!</p>