<p>Hello there College Confidential! I just received a letter today that told me I am a National Merit Scholar. This gives me the ability to send two colleges of my choice, along with my chosen major, etc. If I were to do this, MIT would be the first school I sent it to. However, I received a 217 on the PSAT, and a 2380 on the SAT. I feel that sending my significantly lower PSAT score to MIT could discourage or otherwise hurt my ability to get in when I could wait until the end of this year and apply with my amazing SAT score. If anyone could help me determine whether or not I should send it, I would be extremely appreciative. Thanks to all!</p>
<p>What state are you in? What has been the cut off history for Finalists in your state? (scores)
Finalists are notified in Sept. Right now you are “commended” for being top 50k.
There are many threads with this info…
Is MIT on the list of schools that give out NMS scholarships? There are 2300+.
You should be able to check if you log-in to your account, there is a list there.</p>
<p>I’m in New York. I don’t know what the cutoff was, but based on what it was last year (219), I’m pretty sure I was just on the border. MIT is on the list of available schools, I did check that before I made this post. I’m not sure if sending it will help my chances in anyway, and worse, hurt them.</p>
<p>Sending your PSAT score to MIT will not help or hurt your eventual application. Chris can correct me, but I don’t believe PSAT scores are ever used in admissions decisions.</p>
<p>However, it might be a better strategic choice to send your score to schools where NMF status could get you merit money. Most people who apply to MIT have high PSAT/SAT scores, so NMSF status is not very unique in the MIT applicant pool.</p>