<p>yeah, my S made careless errors on the PSAT & SAT for math. Fortunately, the Math2 SATII was forgiving of this & he was able to get an 800 anyway (the Math1 was much less forgiving of these careless mistakes).</p>
<p>The kids are only human. I have seen many great kids who are uber-testers not do well on the PSAT. One test. One day. It is a shame that kids aren't looked at for a number of variables. Nerves certainly do play a role. I really feel for the kids who miss by one point for either semi's or commended.</p>
<p>calmom,</p>
<p>Yeah, I was very disappointed at first with the 218 (which I took some flack for) not because of the score per se but because of the type of questions he missed. But at the time, I was sure he'd still squeak by because California was consistently at a 216 cutoff. I wonder what happened this year? Trust me, we're not getting any smarter out here! Maybe fewer kids took the test or more took test prep? I wonder if our SAT scores were up too?</p>
<p>I do feel for the kids who miss by one or two points -- especially if they are coming from states which have higher cutoffs. It seems that those kids who score in the (about ) 215 range and up and still don't make it, should get some kind of "recognition" other than Commended which suggests a score around 203. </p>
<p>I do hope that schools do not drag their feet giving these kids their paperwork. Last year, on a similar thread there were countless kids who had to practically "commando" their schools' in order to get their paperwork. I remember one case where the kid only had a 24 hour turn-around in order to meet the deadline. Inexcusable!</p>
<p>On the other hand, I've never heard of an athlete who has received a high honor (or scholarship offer) have his/her school drag its feet to give the child the paperwork. (I'm not saying that it has NEVER happened, but it probably is quite rare.)</p>
<p>Here is the essay prompt for the NMSF!!!!</p>
<p>In your own words, describe your personal characteristics, accomplishments, primary interests, plans, goals. What sets you apart? (about 500 words).</p>
<p>The US system is still kinder & more inclusive of numerous variables than some other systems that only look at the ONE opportunity test for which there are no re-takes.
You can't help but wonder how & when a better system will evolve that will see all the wonderful folks who are not well served by the current system. I know it recognizes some outstanding kids but misses so many others.</p>
<p>When is the deadline for getting essay, etc. in? We have heard nothing though school has only been in session 2 days. I'm hopeful S's 220 will get him in in VT, but don't know for sure. Two of his favorite colleges really favor NMSF for admission (though they don't give much money) so I'm anxiously awaiting. I even dreamed about it last night; that we got notified and our town put a big sign out with S's and others name on it! Wishful thinking; last year I had to really research to find out who made the cut. It didn't even seem to make it into school newsletter.</p>
<p>Here is what the letter says about deadlines:
"...by September 15 (or other date set by your school), give the application to the principal or other designated official who is to complete the school's sections and mail your application to NMSC by October 13, 2006."</p>
<p>Thanks for info, ArkansasMom,</p>
<p>I guess that means I can wait awhile before bugging the principal or GC. My S, no less, reminded me how busy they are with a million things the first few days of school.</p>
<p>Burnthis -->>Maybe fewer kids took the test or more took test prep? I wonder if our SAT scores were up too?<<<</p>
<p>I think that more families are getting savvy to the idea of having kids take a practice test or two prior to the real PSAT. Just taking a few practice sections helps kids avoid some dumb mistakes and eek out a few more points. </p>
<p>Also, more schools are giving the PSAT as sophomores (gets scored but doesn't "count") so that families can see their child's weak area(s). Simply knowing that a child is weak in a "type" of math problems (or grammar questions or whatever) can easily bring about correction that brings in more points. And, as many families have painfully learned, just one point can make the difference.</p>
<p>There were only 3 NMSF at my D's high school, out of a class of more than 400. All girls, btw. D & others were notified yesterday.</p>
<p>My D made it and is now considering what to write for the prompt. What are they looking for? Do they want a list of accomplishments in the essay or do they want a focus on future plans & dreams?</p>
<p>My S's school wants a four day turnaround on the packet. It took them that long to get it out to the kids and now they want it back.</p>
<p>Has a poor essay ever kept a kid from going from SF to F?</p>
<p>No. 90% of SF's become finalists. There is no reason that the essay can't be written in 45 minutes. The committee is looking for basic information to use to determine which kids to award monetary scholarships too, not a work of art. They want to know what the kid has done or plans to do -- if a kid comes from a background of particular hardhip, it would probably be a good thing to reveal it in an essay, since there is a certain sympathy factor in determing who is most deserving for scholarship awards. But the bottom line is that the essay is a pitch for money, not a writing contest.</p>
<p>The only SF I knew who did not make it to F had very poor grades. Great test scores, poor grades/GPA.</p>
<p>According to our counselor, the essay is a chance to let the colleges know a bit more about you. The application & counselor's rec will catalog most of your accomplishments--write in YOUR voice. Our counselor also suggested he and/or a faculty member review the essay (if desired). Showing some of your passion or what sets you apart can be useful.</p>
<p>My D's school is notoriously bad about handing these packets out in a timely fashion, so I am trying to get her to do what she can in advance of receiving the packet. Thanks to those who posted the deadlines and the essay prompt. Is there anything else a kid needs to gather together? Is the rest of the form just biographical information? Does she need teacher recs or anything? Transcript? Official SAT scores reported?<br>
Thanks!</p>
<p>The only thing she needs to worry about is the essay. There is a short form to fill out along with the essay, but if I remember correctly I think it was just a matter of filling in name, address, phone number, etc. The school will take care of the transcripts and recommondation after your d. turns back the forms. It is worthwhile to nag the school -- I remember that my son's school almost missed the deadline because the principal forgot about the paperwork sitting on her desk -- luckily my son was there to remind her!</p>
<p>But for now, just have your daughter work on a short, generic scholarship essay/personal statement. The same essay can probably be used for other scholarship apps during the year; I think about 300 words will be fine for the space alloted. (Someone else can correct me on the length if I'm wrong on the length).</p>
<p>A statement summarizing important accomplishments and relating them to goals will do -- my son wrote about the importance of community service in his life. That gave him an opportunity to summarize what he had done in the past, and sum up with a statement of altruistic goals for his future. (He didn't win the NM sponsored scholarship, but my focus at the time was just seeing him get something acceptable on paper -- the truth is that we didn't want the NM scholarship because it is less money over time than a college-sponsored scholarship, which he did get. $2500 vs. $8000.)</p>
<p>HI MOm: "According to our counselor, the essay is a chance to let the colleges know a bit more about you. "</p>
<p>I think this counselor is wrong. I don't think colleges ever see the essay that goes to NM Corporation. The colleges that I know that give money for NMF, just give it based on what you've sent them (scores, stats, declaring their school as first choice NMF -- colleges don't base their award on any essays written to National Merit Corp.</p>
<p>Actually, the counselor was an adcom for 2 different colleges before coming to work for the HS, so I find him a very reliable source & believe he's correct that NM does release the essays to colleges to read.
On the other hand, the school my S is attending, USoCal, is giving him a lot of merit $$ & never mentioned the essay he wrote for his NMF application one way or another.</p>
<p>it is a relief to know that going fom SF to Finalist isnt hard to do. since we didn't know what our state's cut off was going to be this year, we had to "sweat it out" for all these months (since January when s got his PSAT score). It will be nice knowing that he'll probably make F as long as he meets the deadlines for essay and such (since his stats are high and he'll get the recs).</p>