Sending SAT Scores to National Merit Early?

<p>I am a junior in southern Illinois, and I scored a 228 on the PSAT. I'm fairly confident that my score will allow me to advance further into the competition. I have been researching the next steps, and I noticed that the SAT is required as well. I've been trying to plan ahead a little bit to make sure I place myself in the best position possible to become a finalist. Just wanted to try to work out some logistics -- </p>

<p>2 questions:</p>

<p>1) Does National Merit accept early SAT scores? (For example, my SAT score from the test I am going to take this Saturday rather than one of the three they recommend in the fall.)</p>

<p>2) If yes, is it possible to send this Saturday's score to National Merit or is it better to wait until fall?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>You can send your score now if you want…code is 0085</p>

<p>1.) Yes. That’s pretty much what I did.</p>

<p>2.) Probably; better check to make sure.</p>

<p>I would WAIT until you actually SEE your SAT scores, before sending them in[ though I’m sure they will be high] There is no rush to get them to NMF for scholarship consideration.</p>

<p>There is no reason to wait. My daughter took the SAT twice (first time March of jr year) and registered beforehand to have scores sent to college board each time. This year’s qualifying score was 1960.</p>

<p>I would wait. You don’t know what your score is yet.</p>

<p>^ I agree. One time I hastily sent scores from two test dates, one from the previous year and one that I was about to take, and I did end up doing worse overall.</p>

<p>I don’t think there is any advantage to sending SAT scores too early especially if you don’t know what your score will be yet (no matter how confident you are of the outcome). There is advantage, though, to knowing what SAT score you are sending. JMHO.</p>

<p>Don’t they only look at the best scores? How could sending lower scores hurt you?</p>

<p>colleges will SEE all the scores they are sent, and not all ONLY look at the best scores…</p>

<p>Yes, colleges will…but the question was sending them to NM early not to colleges. For NM isn’t it either a “you qualify” or a “you don’t” so having extra scores in there shouldn’t hurt.</p>

<p>Daughter sent hers in early (spring of Junior year) as it was one of the “free” set (she hadn’t settled on her list of schools yet). She ended up taking the SAT just once (was perfectly happy with her scores), so it was fine.</p>

<p>My daughter scored a 225 on the October 2010 PSAT her Junior year. She took the SAT in January 2011 and scored a 2200. Will NM not accept the January scores? She is registered to retake the SAT in June. She has an 800 in English, but wants to try to increase her Math score from 680 to 700.</p>

<p>"Will NM not accept the January scores? "
They will accept ALL SAT scores.</p>

<p>SAT Scores do matter but no much. As a cut off, a 1950 (or 1960 stated above) is all you need. When you are looking at matter of scholarships, especially NMSC’s own, the SAT score has a small bearing (from what I understand they look at the whole package, PSAT scores, state, GPA, SAT scores). So a higher SAT score does help you.</p>

<p>So I would wait and make sure that this score you are comfortable with for all colleges you are planning to apply and to NMSC. There is no harm in waiting. I know you would like to get it away and it is cheaper done when you are having it sent when you get the scores back, and that is valid. </p>

<p>But if you are confident or do not want to spend extra money, don’t sweat it.</p>

<p>I’m also in the class of 2012 with a score that should qualify. Would a free report using my Subject Test registration to NMC contain my SAT score? And would NMC keep my score report on file or would they just throw it away if I don’t have an application on file (which I don’t have yet)?</p>

<p>Let me understand your question.</p>

<p>You want to send your SAT subject score report (using you free choices) to send your SAT scores. I know you can combine and send all scores at one time, but I really do not know what NMSC will do with subject scores. I guess you can call them ask them, but usually only the SAT scores are sent. Again, I do not believe the at subject test scores will give you any advantage. It would not be fair to give advantage to something that is not required i.e. if the subject scores mattered everyone should be given the opportunity to take a subject test. Many students do not take a subject test.</p>

<p>If I were you, I would not send them the subject scores and instead send it to a school that you would like to attend.</p>

<p>^As far as I know, all scores (that you choose to send) are included on a score report, so even if I sent a paid report, my Subject Test scores could still be there. I just want to know if NMSC will keep my scores on file if I send them before I send in my scholarship application, since I want to save as much money as I can.</p>