semifinalist vs finalist

Test Preparation
1

<p>what do they use to determine whos a finalist out of the semifinalists?</p>

2

<p>Most semifinalists become finalists (15,000 out of 16,000). They look at GPA and SAT scores to confirm performance (I think over 2000 is enough to stay in the game.) And semifinalists need to fill out their paperwork.
<a href=“http://www.nationalmerit.org/Merit_R&I_Leaflet.pdf[/url]”>http://www.nationalmerit.org/Merit_R&I_Leaflet.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>Basically… if you have bad grades and you get less than a 2000 on the SAT, they’ll think you cheated and not advanced you to the finalists.</p>

<p>They also eliminate the ignorant people who forget to apply.</p>

4

<p>about what gpa do you need to become a finalist?</p>

5

<p>I don’t know but I was curious enough to search for old threads. There’s nothing clear-cut but a few interesting anecdotes. The story about the 3.55 weighted seems reassuring. </p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/413965-schools-known-giving-weight-sat.html?highlight=gpa+national+merit+finalist[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/413965-schools-known-giving-weight-sat.html?highlight=gpa+national+merit+finalist&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/399828-national-merit-finalist-gpa.html?highlight=gpa+national+merit+finalist[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/399828-national-merit-finalist-gpa.html?highlight=gpa+national+merit+finalist&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/388628-grades-reqd-nmf.html?highlight=gpa+national+merit+finalist[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/388628-grades-reqd-nmf.html?highlight=gpa+national+merit+finalist&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Your guidance counselor might be able to give you a ballpark idea. NMSC doesn’t seem to publish any cutoff.</p>

6

<p>I’ve heard that basically, if you are able to write adequately and have upheld your grades and SAT scores, then you’re good to go. As previously said, 15 out of 16 semifinalists become finalists. The people that don’t qualify are a very small minority.</p>

7

<p>My counselor said that 90% become finalists. She’s been a counselor a long time, and she’s only had two semifinalists not becoming finalists and it was because they had quite a few Ds and were the very-naturally-smart-but-don’t-try-at-all-in-school types. I would guess 3.5/2000 is about what they’re looking for. If you were smart enough to be a semi, you will probably be fine.</p>