<p>My son just received his PSAT scores. He had a composite of 220 in NY State. It does show on the score sheet that he is
at the 99th percentile on the test. Since the National Merit Scholarship is given to the top 1% of test-takers, does that mean he will be a merit finalist or is there more to it than that? I had heard that not everyone who gets the scores needed gets the finalist award?</p>
<p>How long do we need to wait to find out if my son made it?</p>
<p>Any help on this would be appreciated-thanks.</p>
<p>If he just received them he is a junior. I just went through this process. In September, he will be notified about his status. There are many resources online and specifically on college confidential, which allow you to look at previous years cut off scores per state. 220 is quite high, but New York is a particularly high scoring state. I live in Connecticut and the cut off is higher. Finalists are chosen from those that make the semi finalist cut off; those eliminated are eliminated on, in part, a SAT score that is too low. And then, about 8000 winners are chosen from 16000 finalists. What is important for most schools is not winning it, just being a semi finalist or finalist. It would be surprising if your son were not a semi finalist, but as I stated earlier, I am not sure about New York. A psat of 220 will most likely yield an sat of 2300+ with some study, and that, in itself, is an incredible resource for admissions. I wish him luck. Do not worry, recognition of any sort is a ways off. Cheers. </p>
<p>Here is a link to the semifinalist cutoffs for each state for the class of 2015. It won’t be the same next year, but it gives you an idea of what to expect. For example, 218 was the cutoff in NY, NJ was 224.</p>
<p>@Questiondude The past six years the cutoffs for Michigan have been 210 210 207 210 209 209 so you’re right on the line. I’d say you have a very good chance!</p>