<p>Since PSAT scores are coming soon for my school, this question popped up in my head.</p>
<p>If one were to get a, say 214 vs a 220+, and assuming they will make the cutoff, what difference does it make if one has a lower/higher PSAT scores on their chances to make finalist and get a scholarship? (also assume that the application process will be the same, and the two people are identical in every way, ie extracurriculars, GPAs, etc.)</p>
<p>Also, does finalist=scholarship?</p>
<p>EDIT: What is highest cutoff known in Wisconsin?</p>
<p>I don’t think a lower or higher PSAT score makes much difference in the scholarship, if at all. The actual SAT score might. But the NMSC does not release their “formula” for the scholarships. I have seen threads out here in the past speculating on this, but don’t think there was any definitive answer to who gets the scholarship and who doesnt. If you make the cutoff, put some effort into your essay and be sure you submit your stuff on time.</p>
<p>Finalist does NOT equal scholarship. I don’t have the exact statistics, but there are three ways to get NMF money. One is the one time NMSC scholarship of $2,500. A second is a corporate scholarship (almost always goes to kids of employees of the corporations). A third is if the college you attend offers something. There is a wide range in that area.</p>
<p>If you want to know Wisconsin cutoffs beyond this last year, I think you will need to dig through old threads out here to find them. It looks like this year’s cutoff (for students graduating in 2013) was 207. Here is the link to the forum where most of the NMF conversations that have occurred for several years out here. You can find Wisconsin cutoff info if you look back, and also answers to a lot of questions on scholarships:</p>
<p>[National</a> Merit Scholarships - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/]National”>National Merit Scholarships - College Confidential Forums)</p>