We just found out that my DD’s PSAT score from fall qualifies for consideration for National Merit scholarship and is being forwarded to the committee. She will be moving to another state to be a repeat Jr at a boarding school. It appears that she can still participate, just has to retake the test. However, I am wondering since different states have different qualifying indexes, what happens if her score in the state she tested in doesn’t meet the index of the state she is moving to?
Boarding schools typically have the highest qualifying score, think 222-224. If she has to retake the PSAT, I think she’ll be bound by the boarding school score cutoff. Any way she can use her present score and move forward under her current state score cutoff? You should ask NMC.
The NMSQT website says that they will use the score taken their 3rd year of HS but they have to retake it the following year and score the same or higher. Qualifying scores are by state not by school so not sure what you mean. I was wondering if anyone has experienced this same situation and would know for sure. I am sure the guidance department will know how it works but was hoping for a quick answer.
Boarding schools are treated like a state of their own, just like internationals, and have the highest selection index. Call NMC and ask them. They are generally very nice about these type of questions.
Interesting- I found a page that talks about boarding schools that also said the following:
“ NMSC considers your state to be where you went to school when you took the PSAT, not your state of residency or the state of your new school.”
I will call them as it is rather confusing.