PSAT Commended

Test Preparation
101

<p>elgecko: *I got a 207, but I’m a sophomore, so this essentially means nothing with regards to NMSC and that whole circus, correct? *</p>

<p>Use your test results to go online and see which questions you missed. Your test results give the correct answer.</p>

<p>Then, hopefully next year, you’ll score 15-20 points more and make NMSF.</p>

<p>Jgraider…you need to look at your test results. Do you have an * next to your score?</p>

<p>And, also ask your GC about the letter.</p>

102

<p>Any thoughts on which schools are impressed by PSAT scores? I wonder how to choose the two that will get the report.
I have read that some schools (the UC system, for example) pay little attention to these. If we get only two, how do you choose?</p>

<p>S1 got a 235, BTW</p>

103

<p>^^Nope, no asterisk. I’ll talk to my counselor. They were pretty late about giving us our scores too, so I would imagine that they are just holding them</p>

104

<p>*Any thoughts on which schools are impressed by PSAT scores? I wonder how to choose the two that will get the report.
I have read that some schools (the UC system, for example) pay little attention to these. If we get only two, how do you choose?</p>

<p>S1 got a 235, BTW *</p>

<p>You’re right, the UCs don’t really care. Actually, few Calif colleges seem to care - except USC and a few others.</p>

<p>So, I would put down USC and another school that is known to give big merit scholarships for NMFs (which your son will likely be).</p>

105

<p>I recommend viewing page 18 on the NMS student guide.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.nationalmerit.org/student_guide.pdf[/url]”>http://www.nationalmerit.org/student_guide.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The guide lists which schools offer NM scholarships and how many scholarships they offer. My son sent his letters to two colleges which have a high number of NM scholarships and which have strong programs in marketing, his intended major.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, with a score of 201 (WA), he will probably not be a finalist. </p>

<p>Does anyone know if being a “commended scholar” helps with acceptance or merit aid?</p>

106

<p>Enormously helpful, Mom<em>I</em>am</p>

107

<p>Finally got my letter. My question now is whether it’s even a good idea to have my PSAT score sent to the colleges I’m going to be applying to if it is significantly lower than my SAT score</p>

108

<p>My son received his letter last week. Sadly, I suspect he will just miss the cut off for our state to qualify for Semi Finalist (based on the cuttoff for the last few years). He has already taken the SAT twice, and his SAT scores are MUCH better that his PSAT. </p>

<p>Is there any “strategy” to use in naming the 2 colleges to notify? Should we name a school that would offer $$ because he is Commended (or may qualify for Semi Finalist or beyond)? Do the schools listed on p18-20 on the student guide (url in posting #105) give $$ just for Finalists, or would Commended students also qualify for $$. Or should he just name his 2 favorites so far?</p>

<p>He has already looked at a variety of schools, his favorites being 2 ivies (one a reach, one a low reach/high match based on his stats and past acceptance history for his HS-- neither of which are on that list). His safeties may include school(s) that are included on the list, but they are not his top choices. Should we list his 2 favorites or 2 from the list that may offer $$? And as a previous poster said, does it make sense to send his PSAT scores to his reach schools if his SAT scores are much better.</p>

<p>Thanks for any advice!</p>