<p>I was awarded National Merit Semifinalist with a PSAT score of 208 (98%). I believe my essay is very strong, and I have yet to take the SAT (I have only taken the ACT up to this point). Is the fact that my PSAT score is weak for a Finalist enough to exclude me from the 94% of people who move from SF to F, or will a strong essay and a high SAT score be enough to push me on.
P.S. I live in Wyoming</p>
<p>The way I understand it, the road from SF to F is easy…complete the application and don’t screw up your SAT or get any bad grades. The essay doesn’t really matter unless you want to win one of the scholarships. It just has to be decent. The other things are more important. No Ds! And your SAT should be in the PSATx10 range…so around 2080.</p>
<p>Nerfrehbay, my DD is also a NMSF with a score just slightly above yours. From what I have read, you should be fine if you obtain a reasonable SAT score. Just be sure that you submit the required application on time! I think you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>Thanks, any reassurance is welcome. And yes I submitted my application on time, My GPA is a 4.0, and hopefully my SAT will back up my PSAT scores.</p>
<p>Once you have made the cut to Semifinalist (based on your PSAT score), the PSAT doesn’t count anymore. So it doesn’t matter at all whether you had a score of 208 or or 239.</p>
<p>With a GPA of 4.0 and decent ECs and no disciplinary problems on your record, all you have to do now is score reasonably high on the SAT (just to “validate” that your PSAT score wasn’t just an anomaly) and you will advance to finalist status.</p>
<p>Right…</p>
<p>Your PSAT doesn’t count anymore…</p>
<p>To go from NMSF to NMF…</p>
<p>1) keep your nose clean at school - you need the rec</p>
<p>2) Take the SAT by Dec and have score sent to NMCorp - code 0085
(Typically a score over 2000 is considered good enough - altho some with scores of 1950 have reported making NMF.)</p>
<p>3) Receive the NMSF paperwork in September. Follow all the directions, write a nice essay, and return paperwork to school before the due date.</p>
<p>4) Check with school to make sure paperwork is submitted on time to NMCorp.</p>
<p>5) Keep your GPA strong at school; the school sends your transcript to NMCorp with your paperwork.</p>
<p>6) Don’t fret about picking #1 choice for college. That can be decided in late winter/early spring - depending on school’s deadline.</p>
<p>The kids who don’t make NMF after being named NMSF typically cause that to happen by…</p>
<p>1) bad behavior at school</p>
<p>2) poor academic performance (GPA issues)</p>
<p>3) didn’t do the paperwork, did it incorrectly, or submitted it too late.</p>
<p>4) wrote a rude/poor essay.</p>
<p>5) didn’t take the SAT, didn’t send score to NMCorp, and/or didn’t have a good SAT score (typically a score over 2000 is considered “safe.”)</p>
<p>If for some odd reason you receive a rejection letter stating that you didn’t make NMF, you can appeal. However, I doubt you will be rejected. :)</p>
<p>Any questions…feel free to call NMCorp - they’re very nice on the phone.</p>
<p>Nat’l Merit Corp 847-866-5100</p>
<p>I think everyone has pretty much said it!</p>
<p>NMSF->NMF is a lot different than applying to a college. A college has a defined space,and will be looking for the best applicants. NMC would probably like everyone to move from NMSF to NMF, but they go through the application process to get the small amount of kids who really do not deserve it. Out of 16K, only about 1K will be eliminated, which is pretty amazing, BTW.</p>
<p>So the SAT doesn’t have to necessarily be equivalent to what the individual student got on their PSAT, right? </p>
<p>I was told to multiply by 10 to get the equivalent score. My daughter got 219 on PSAT (in CO, so semifinalist), but only 2180 on SAT last year. I was wondering if she needed to retake the SAT this year for the 2190, which would match her PSAT score.</p>
<p>momX3 - no, a 2180 should be fine.</p>
<p>By that requirement, a student with a 240, would have to have a 2400.</p>
<p>It doesn’t matter how high your PSAT score was. If you made NMSF, then your SAT just needs to be around 2000 or higher (and some say a 1950 is high enough).</p>
<p>Some get confused by thinking they have to “prove” their actual PSAT score on the SAT by getting a SAT score that is 10X the PSAT score. NO. They just have to have a SAT score that is about 2000+</p>
<p>2180 is more than fine.</p>
<p>Thanks to mom2collegekids, especially from my daughter, who will be relieved to know that I am not going to make her take the SAT a second time.
She was satisfied with just one testing, and not thrilled when I contemplated signing her up again. </p>
<p>And thanks to anotherparent for pointing out the major flaw in the x10 theory - great point.</p>
<p>To be exact, the SAT score should be 1960 or higher, then you will be fine. I spoke with NMSC people about SAT score and that is the number they gave me.</p>
<p>1960 was the qualifying score for the past two years, but this year’s score hasn’t been determined yet.</p>
<p>@momtimes3, you seem to feel that making the cut from NMSF to NMF is important for your D, yet you are “satisfied” with her 2180 on the SAT after only one try? What’s the harm with trying a second time? A slightly higher SAT score on a second try (2250?) could make a BIG difference with merit $ and admission to TOP schools. My only regret from the college application process was not taking the SAT as seriously as I should have.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>I think her D may have a higher ACT score and prefers the ACT.</p>
<p>Does anyone send their ACT score to the National Merit Corporation?</p>
<p>^^^
Doubt it. NMCorp doesn’t use the ACT for NMSF process.</p>
<p>My concern is the application actually getting to NMSC. The school told my S they sent it out a couple of weeks ago but didn’t make any copies-so of course I worry it’s lost in the mail. I already sent to SAT score in-does NMSC acknowledge receipt of the materials or you just have to assume they got there and are all in order. I really don’t want to call and seem like a some overbearing parent.</p>
<p>^Pepper03…believe me, they are used to us calling them! Our school did it electronically, and my kiddo’s GC sent it (after I became one of the biggest pains!) ON the deadline date. I then called NM, and it’s there. (We don’t have copies of anything, either.) I was calling them every day that last week, as I couldn’t get a response from GC. They’re very nice. And if it’s not there, don’t panic…yet. When I talked to them, they said that 10/13 was their “suggested” deadline, but that schools can (and often do) set their own return dates. If it’s not there by 11/1, NM makes a point to contact the school and see what’s up, but said they do NOT penalize a kid for the school’s not getting it in on time or other problem like that.</p>
<p>So…call…they really are nice and don’t mind. (Besides, their office hours are the same as school hours, so this really isn’t one the kids can do themselves.) They can also tell you if they got the SAT scores (one of d’s colleges at first said they didn’t get them…so it’s well worth it to check). If it’s there, you can relax and think of other things until Feb. If not, find out from them the next steps.</p>
<p>Call NMCorp to find out if it was rec’d. 847-866-5100</p>