<p>Just q quick question: How does the NMSQT staff pick which Semi-Finalists go on to be Finalists? I've heard that it depends on your grades and activities, but how far do they go into that?</p>
<p>I currently have a UW GPA of 3.5, so I'm considering not even taking the PSAT (which I've already signed up for for this Wednesday) if I make the Semi-finalist cut but am not able to continue because of my low GPA.</p>
<p>Any thoughts on this? </p>
<p>Thanks guys!</p>
<p>Wasian</p>
<p>A 3.5 GPA is not low. Take the test on Wednesday. 15,000 of the 16,000 semifinalists become finalists, most do not because they fail to turn in the paperwork, have disciplinary issues, or failing grades.</p>
<p>if you can make semi-finalist, and you can prove that you’ve been a decent student and that the score wasn’t purely coincidental, then you’ll probably become a finalist. so don’t give up hope before you even know what you’re dealing with.</p>
<p>OK, I admit. It’s been 35 years and I’m still sore. I got the letter saying I was a NMSQT semi-finalist back in 1973. I called my California public high school guidance office and asked what that meant. They said “it doesn’t mean anything.” I even called back- still nothing. Oh, well. I guess it didn’t mean anything, as I graduated from college, professional school and have a wonderful career and family without being a National Merit Finalist!</p>