I am taking a course for preparation of the psat right now. I am really hoping I can get be a semifinalist. But, if I end up not becoming a semifinalist, will that hurt my chances at top schools (UCLA, Duke, UPenn, Pomona)? Are most people who get into these schools national merit semifinalists? I know that its not certain I will get in even if I do become a semifinalist, but is it like a standard thing to have for most people who apply to these colleges?
It does not really matter as long as your SAT score is as competitive. They would not even know if you did take PSAT or not. Obviously one cannot be a semifinalist/finalist without taking PSAT in 11th grade. Basically it is just an indication that you can get ~2100+ in SAT in the first semester of 11th grade. All other parameters for NMF will be shown on your college application anyway. It only matters for those who is seeking merit scholarship based on NMF status.
Bump
This won’t answer your question exactly, but if you check out pages 20-21 of the NMSC annual report (the most recent one I saw was for 2013-14) you will see where the 791 finalists that year attended: http://www.nationalmerit.org/annual_report.pdf
@b1ggreenca that was actually really insightful, thanks!