<p>How much does being a national merit semifinalist help you in princeton admissoins? If you are a commended students and not a semi-finalist, will it really hurt your chances? If you receive good marks on your SAT, will it compensate for being only a commended student? What value do Princeton Admissions officers place on the National Merit Semi-Finalist Award?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Hey. I wouldn't worry about it too much...it's just a measure of how well you did on a flawed test on one day in your life, and colleges know that. They also know that in some states it's a good deal harder to be NMSF than in others.</p>
<p>I got into Pton w/o being NMSF, though I was worried about that too until this very day. In my grade, 2 of top 3 students and 3 of top 5 students are commended. All of us are top caliber and have already/will probably end up in HYPM.</p>
<p>Thanks alot for that comment. Congratulations on Princeton. Any advice for future applicants?</p>
<p>Thanks :). It still hasn't sunk in...</p>
<p>As for advice, I'm assuming you're a senior applying RD. I'd just say that make sure you know who you are well enough to represent yourself, and then make sure that all parts of your application show you as clearly as possible. You should have an idea, then, of what teachers to ask for recs and what to write essays on. Then, just do it well. Good luck!</p>
<p>Oh man...I feel like I'm preaching...so much can change in 24 hrs.</p>