<p>Hi, I JUST got an account, so I'm really new here! :) Hoping you all can answer my question...</p>
<p>I just found out today from my school that I'm a National Merit Scholar because I had the top three scores in my high school. However, my school isn't quite <em>the</em> greatest school academically speaking, since I had a lower-ranged PSAT score and still got this (my score was a 203).</p>
<p>The letter I was given states that they can send a recommendation and my scores for me to two colleges of my choice. I would have submitted them today, but then I wondered whether since my score wasn't all that great, couldn't this potentially ruin my chances next year when I apply to whichever schools I want to submit my scores to?</p>
<p>So do colleges really look at PSAT scores sent in by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and possibly lessen your chances because your score wasn't that high? Or do they pretty much ignore them?</p>
<p>jacjac - my son also got a 203 and he has the same concerns as you regarding sending the scores to colleges and how they will react to a “low” score. Hopefully someone with experience will fill us in. </p>
<p>I need to remind both you and my son that a 203 is a fabulous score - if it doesn’t make the semi finalist cut, being in the top 3% in the country it is something to be very proud of. (double check your letter, but I think you have until May 25 to decide so please make an appointment with your counselor.)</p>
<p>Hi, Kajon, and thanks for the prompt reply!</p>
<p>Thank you; I’m glad I was able to get this score at all and become a National Merit Scholar, but I really don’t want that to look bad to my potential colleges. Yes, students do have until May 25 (which just so happens to be my birthday, haha), but I wanted to get it done quickly…but stopped and had this question. :P</p>
<p>does anyone know if that is the cut off for commended? i got a 201 and will be so bummed out if i didn’t make it. i was in the top 3% of scores.</p>
<p>Sorry to burst your bubbles, but you are NOT National Merit Scholars, at least not yet. At this point, you only know that you have scored high enough on the PSAT to become either a NM Semifinalist or a Commended Student. The official notification as to which one you are will come in late August/September. Cut-off scores for NM semifinalists vary by state (so that each state is proportionally represented) so a 210 may be high enough to be a semifinalist in Wyoming but only for commended in New York. (You can check the CC archives to see what cut-off scores have been in the past for different states.) </p>
<p>Over 90% of NM semifinalists do go on to become finalists. However, only half of the finalists will actually become National Merit Scholars.</p>
<p>Colleges pay absolutely no attention to your PSAT scores, and in fact may not even see them if your school does not list them on your transcript. Except for a few test-optional schools, colleges will require you to report SAT or ACT scores and those will be used when they review your applications next year.</p>
<p>Sorry, you’re not a national merit scholar. And, the status has NOTHING to do with the scores from your school. Your status has to do with the fact that the nationwide Commended scholar cutoff is about 201 (+ or - )</p>
<p>Right now, you’re a Commended Scholar. Congrats!</p>
<p>What state are you from? Many states require scores of over 210 in order to become National Merit Semi-finalists (Semi-Finalists, Finalists, & Scholars are not named until senior year)</p>