<p>Once the semi-finalists are announced, how are the finalists and scholarship recipients chosen?</p>
<p>First NMSC reviews the supplemental materials sent in by the semi-finalists (HS transcript, counselor recommendation, essay, list of activities, SAT scores, etc.) to determine who is “worthy” of moving onto Finalist status. Less than 10% of the semi-finalists fail to become finalists. Those who don’t make it either didn’t turn in the forms on time, don’t have sufficiently high grades, couldn’t repeat their high PSAT score on the SAT, or have disciplinary problems on their record.</p>
<p>Then MMSC sorts the finalists to find out which ones qualify for the specific college-sponsored or corporate awards. This is based on the info the finalists gave them as to first choice of college, college major, parents’ employers, etc. because those awards have very restrictive criteria. They pass the names of the eligible finalists on to the schools or companies who then choose the recipients (although in some cases, the companies ask NMSC to make the decisions for them). NMSC also chooses who gets the one-time $2500 National Merit Scholar awards (which can be used at any college) that it funds.</p>
<p>do you know what the grade requirement is.</p>
<p>like gpa i mean</p>
<p>"couldn’t repeat their high PSAT score on the SAT"</p>
<p>My PSAT score was 227, but my SAT score was only 2120. Would this score drop take me out of the running, or would it have to be a much more significant drop?</p>
<p>Not necessarily. If the setup is the same as last year, our writing scores were ignored. NM will only look at your M+CR. I think they had a setpoint for the minimum M+CR. Failing to meet that will take you out of the running. I know someone that was hurt by that...</p>
<p>My M+CR is 1470 (156 on the PSAT). Do you think that's good enough to make the cut?</p>
<p>Not sure really. I don't know if the min value varied from state to state like the cut-off index. I know that that would have made the cut here (I only had a 1460 and a 207 on my PSAT yet still pulled off a one-time NMS.) It will really depend on who all you are competing with. It couldn't hurt to retake the SAT, though, if you are in doubt!</p>
<p>bts7390
what is your total PSAT # ? I think the lowest cut off # is around 210. It varies a lot between states, and you have to know the cutoff for your state[I think Mass has one of the highest at 222.]</p>
<p>Menloparkmom, I know my total PSAT (227, 156 M+CR) is good enough to make the cutoff (the cutoff for PA is usually around 215). I'm just wondering if my significant drop when I took the SAT (2120, 1470 M+CR) would take me out of the running for Finalist and NMS.</p>
<p>Another question, if I retake the SAT in October, will I receive these scores before the Finalists are chosen? I'm confident that I'll score 2300+.</p>
<p>GUYS!</p>
<p>16,000 Semifinalists are chosen</p>
<p>15,000 Finalists are chosen!</p>
<p>That means: ONLY 1000 people are cut off the list! Of those, probably 80% did not bother to submit anything, leaving only 200 people who actually got cut for low SAT/bad school record. </p>
<p>You probably will only get cut if you have lower than 900/1600 on the SAT. </p>
<p>People on CC are SOOO paranoid!</p>
<p>bts, the above ^^^is correct, so no you won't be out of the running. You will have to submit an essay early in your Sr year, so be sure that doesn't get forgotten.</p>
<p>What will the essay be about?</p>
<p>I don't remember the essay prompt per se, but it was pretty free - just something about your activities and such. I wrote about the different things I was passionate about in high school.</p>
<p>It's pretty easy, I typed the essay up in two hours or so.</p>
<p>
<p>The box is 6 5/8" wide and 7 3/4" tall.
I also remember reading on CC, although I don't remember what thread, that all that was required was basically to put something down and have it make sense.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Then MMSC sorts the finalists to find out which ones qualify for the specific college-sponsored or corporate awards. This is based on the info the finalists gave them as to first choice of college, college major, parents’ employers, etc. because those awards have very restrictive criteria. They pass the names of the eligible finalists on to the schools or companies who then choose the recipients (although in some cases, the companies ask NMSC to make the decisions for them). NMSC also chooses who gets the one-time $2500 National Merit Scholar awards (which can be used at any college) that it funds.
[/quote]
Do schools you get accepted into give scholarships based on the national merit award that are over the tiny $2500 award?</p>
<p>How much longer after taking the PSAT do the National Merit people notify one if one is of the 50,000 recognized students? Also, how do they notify you?</p>
<p>More questions........lol</p>
<p>
[Quote]
In late September, more than two-thirds or about 34,000 of the approximately 50,000 high scorers on the PSAT/NMSQT® receive Letters of Commendation in recognition of their outstanding academic promise.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>So if it is in September, it takes like 11 months for them to do this, since the PSAT is in October? Seems like kind of a while. Also, what exactly is on the letter, and how do they slim down 50,000 to 34,000?</p>
<p>BTW, after taking the PSAT, when do you find out your score?</p>
<p>Also, here is the link to what I quoted</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php%5B/url%5D">http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php</a></p>
<p>Informative site btw....so I'd recommend checking it out for anyone who wants to read about the National Merit award</p>
<p>October, Year 1 - Take the PSAT as a junior
April/May, Year 2 - Receive notification that you are recognized (either commended or semifinalist, but you don't know which yet); this is based on a national cutoff score
Late August, Year 2 - Semifinalists are notified; this is based on a state cutoff score
Late September, Year 2 - Commended are notified
February, Year 3 - Finalists are notified; based on evaluation of applications made by semifinalists (SAT scores, grades, school recommendations, essay)
March - May, Year 3 - Scholarships are awarded to finalists (NM, corporate, and college)</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>When do you find out your score though?</p>
<p>The PSAT is taken in October and the College Board sends out the scores to high schools in December. If you're lucky, your school will give them to you right away so you know what your scores are before Christmas break. If not, you may have to wait until the school reopens until January</p>