<p>Thanks for the response, Clapuma, and after reading this post, it does seem that you are an expert. Everyone in this forum directs their questions to you as you have established your credibility. So I hope you’re right! 
Alan</p>
<p>I agree with Alanhyoon. I have only been on CC for a short time, but I am already indebted to experts such as clapuma and other senior members! </p>
<p>On a different note, does anyone know where one could find the data on the number of NMFs enrolled at each national university, beyond news articles?</p>
<p>JuniorMint: pp. 38-40 of the NMSF annual report shows where merit scholars went in 2011 (merit scholars being a subset of finalists though). That’s the most complete list I know of. See here: <a href=“http://www.nationalmerit.org/annual_report.pdf[/url]”>http://www.nationalmerit.org/annual_report.pdf</a></p>
<p>Thanks clapuma, it is interesting to see fewer scholars than I expected at some schools. I am curious why universities like W&M, Drexel, Swarthmore, Barnard, UMass-Amherst, and Cooper Union have relatively small numbers of scholars. Would this mean such schools welcome NMFs as a rarity, or would they be indifferent? The latter would logically explain why there are fewer NM students there.</p>
<p>JrMint</p>
<p>I can’t answer our questions for all schools, but Drexel is generous to NM with full tuition. They do encourage NM to attend but often seem to lose the kids to more “name brand” nationally known schools.</p>
<p>My thinking is that, generally, NMs go to prestigious schools (HYPS, U of Chicago, Northwestern,Vanderbilt, Chapel Hill), local publics schools (Minnesota twin cities, UT- Austin for example) for other reasons, or to schools with generous scholarships (UA, UO, Tulsa, Auburn, Northeastern). That is why I was surprised to see that only a handul of students had taken scholarships from Drexel (full tuition) and UMass-Amherst (full ride, I think). Longhaul mentioned that the “name brand” appeal of some schools lures students from Drexel, which is why I am curious that Swarthmore, W&M, and Barnard have only a few NMFs. Though, they are relatively small colleges. Cooper Union is a surprise to me because it seems to boast high scores.</p>
<p>JuniorMint,
I think you are missing the distinction between a National Merit Scholar and a Nation Merit Finalist. That list shows the number of Merit Scholars enrolling at each school, not the number of National Merit Finalists. There are roughly 7,000 NMFs that are not included on that list. I’m sure many of those 7,000 are at schools such as Swarthmore, W&M and Barnard. Those National Merit Finalists are not Merit Scholars in part because they chose to attend a school that does not offer official National Merit Scholarships (in part because many of their students are NMFs).</p>
<p>There is also a difference between a “National Merit Scholarship” and a school scholarship that is awarded to a National Merit Finalist or Scholar. For example, according to the NMSC’s most recent annual report, neither Drexel nor UMass-Amherst sponsored National Merit Scholarships in the 2011 program. While it appears that both universities offer scholarships to applicants who are National Merit Finalists (Drexel) or National Merit Scholars (UMass-Amherst), those are school scholarships that are not recognized by NMSC in its annual report as “National Merit Scholarships.” Only scholarships that are sponsored through the NMSC are tallied in NMSC’s annual report.</p>
<p>Has anyone tried to predict the cutoff for Iowa yet?</p>
<p>Iowa has been either 209 or 210 over the last five years. It was 210 last year, so I would guess it will be 209 next time. But, as with all predictions, its just a guess. You can’t know the value till NMSF sends the letters later this year.</p>
<p>I also went back and looked at PSAT scores. In my d’s state, which had a 3 point jump last year, there was an increase in both the number of test takers and in the average test score from the prior year. Looking at Iowa, there were slightly less people taking the test in 2011 than in 2010, and the average test score for the state went down slightly as well. I would think those things would tend to predict possibly a small drop in score. </p>
<p>But again, its just guessing.</p>
<p>I know that last year’s Illinois cutoff for NMSF was 216. I got a 217, should I be ok?
Waiting for September is KILLING ME</p>
<p>Thanks bappy & phalic for the clarification. I knew the list was only of NM scholars, but the distinction between recognized and unrecognized school scholarships was slightly confusing. </p>
<p>Would anyone like to predict the semifinalist cutoff for Vermont?</p>
<p>Little Freudian Slip there with names JuniorMint…</p>
<p>WV2013, you’re probably in since most states are predicted to have a drop.</p>
<p>HAHAHAH! I sincerely apologize, Pyrrhic. That was an example of a dyslexia complex. Nice spot Bappy1, I might just flag that post myself.</p>
<p>Thanks clapuma for the hope! My son took it and got a 211 (MI), last year Michigan kids needed a 210 and the four years before that a 209. He has been sick thinking that he won’t make it considering all the big number jumps last year. I hope you are right!</p>
<p>What is the most a cutoff has ever dropped? I’m wondering if there’s even a small sliver of hope that the cutoff could drop 5 points. I know it’s not likely.</p>
<p>199, awesome…</p>
<p>My son got the letter also. He got a 211 on the 2011 psat and we live in NJ. I’m sure he will be commended, not a semi-finalist. I am wondering what commended status will provide him. Are there schools that give money for commended? How important is the letter NM sends out to the two schools?</p>