<p>This is an issue that really pushes my buttons. Metro newspaper has never mentioned National Merit Semi-finalists once, although in the interim since my daughter learned she was one in September, her high school has probably been named explicitly 3 or 4 times in articles such as “X High Students Arrested at Pot Party” or “X High Student Arrested for Major Drug Sale.” Recently, she won a national award and the foundation sent a press release with all details about the program and our state delegates. Never a mention of it in the paper although there has been room for a vivid description of every soccer and basketball game…not to denigrate athletic accomplishment, but I really don’t understand why it is routine to recognize athletics and not socially acceptable to honor academics.</p>
<p>Someone tell this guy that correlation does not equal causation.</p>
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<p>Maybe it’s because our public school system is full of morons.</p>
<p>Misleading statement: "Moroever, what many of you are arguing for is an “award” based on one test, one-time, with no make-ups for illness, in lieu of four solid years of coursework. "</p>
<p>It is not only one test the measure to receive such distinction of becoming a Finalist… Please educate yourself before posting misleading statements…To be a NMF you need to “consistently have a very high academic record”, </p>
<p>How does a Semifinalist become a Finalist?
“Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements, which are provided in materials they receive with their scholarship application and are also listed in the PSAT/NMSQT® Official Student Guide. These include completing an application, having a consistently very high academic record, writing an essay, being endorsed and recommended by a school official, and taking the SAT® and earning a score that confirms the PSAT/NMSQT performance.”</p>
<p>No, that is what semifinalists need to do in order to become finalists.</p>
<p>But I was a NMF, and got mentioned in the paper and stuff, and I guess it’s good that they’re recognizing academic achievement, but I think the thing that I disliked the most about that was that there were many things that were more important to me, and probably more impressive than just being a NMF that were never mentioned in the paper. Everyone knew that I was a NMF, but no one knew that the quiz bowl team that I was on got first in our region, or my results on math and computer science competitions.</p>
<p>I think those requirements are to advance to Finalist standing and to later receive a scholarship. To become an NMSF, you just need the PSATs. </p>
<p>Personally, I can’t see why you should begrudge someone something like this. If you wanted to, you could find some way to denigrate every school achievement.</p>
<p>The name of this thread is about “Stop honoring National Merit Finalists!”</p>
<p>So again referring to “Finalist” it is required to “Have a record of consistently very high academic performance in all of grades 9 through 12 and in any college course work taken.”… The school also is to notify NMSC of any noticeable decline in academic performance during the current year. If [student] is in college, high academic performance must continue and must be documented by an official transcript of [student] record";</p>
<p>It also requires an application listing work, extracurriculars, essay…,recommendations, take the current SAT® and earn scores that confirm the[PSAT/NMSQT performance]…</p>
<p>Often the reason the non-athletic accomplishments don’t make the local newspaper is because no one tells the newspaper about them. Journalists are “lazy” in the sense that they are thrilled to be emailed publication-ready news stories by other people. Makes their job way easier. Next time your school has some news-worthy academic achievements, try emailing the appropriate reporter with the info directly, and include the name and # of the GC or principal who can verify the information.</p>
<p>Bay…you’re right on target. I have heard about some students preparing the story about their Team academic achievements and discussing with the GC for approval and sending to a selected Editor, so they can follow up…It works!</p>
<p>“Journalists are “lazy” in the sense that they are thrilled to be emailed publication-ready news stories by other people.”</p>
<p>What people don’t realize is that’s how journalists find out most stories: Somebody tells them. Otherwise, how could they know?</p>
<p>I don’t think you guys understand. Under the CONSITUTION of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA, Amendment 14, WE ARE ALL EQUAL! That means that even if you score 80 on the Critical Reading, you are no better at reading than someone who scores a 200. We are all the same. You people need to become enlightened and understand that being NMF is not special, it’s a pointless achievement created by people who like to toot their own horn. I am disgusted by everyone here. When can we finally the day where mediocroty and failure is just as equal as skill and success. It’s in the freaking constitution. Geez.</p>
<p>Denigrating the NMSF achievement because it is only one time, one day, is like playing down a track star setting a new record in the 100m dash because, “It only took, like, 10 seconds.” In both cases a little more goes into it.</p>
<p>A few years ago when the local section of our newspaper suddenly didn’t print the A honor roll, I called our school district’s administration offices. I ended up speaking with 4 different people there and none of them had any idea what I was talking about! I gave up and called the HS principal who acted as if he couldn’t care less. My final call was to the editor of the local section who told me that the schools no longer forwarded the information to him and he didn’t have the staff to keep after the school district about it. Of all the people I spoke with he was the only one who was sympathetic to my issue. No one in the schools seemed to care…</p>
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<p>Ok, the please educate me on what constitutes a “high academic record”? WHAT is the gpa cutoff? What are the required honors courses, if any? What is the recommended/required curriculum? How come nearly everyone (15/16ths, or ~94%) moves from Semi-to Finalist if such a “high record” is required? Do they ALL have a “high academic record”? </p>
<p>In cc parlance, 95% conversion rate is better than a “safety” – its a gimme! :rolleyes:</p>
<p>Well yeah, I mean if you can get basically straight 70’s (which isnt even the cutoff in most states), I would expect you can do well in english, math and other subjects. This is a group of high achievers. So yes, they all do have a high academic record.</p>
<p>^^how do you KNOW? The math tested is only Sophomore level, for example. How high is that?</p>
<p>Can someone confirm if schools award NM scholarships to both finalists and semi-finalists? Or are school-based scholarships only awarded to finalists? I’ve assumed that it’s only finalists, and I think that’s what most parents and students believe, as well. It would spare a lot of people a lot of worrying! :)</p>
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<p>Our local paper has a Sports Editor and reporter on staff who make it their business to attend and report on high school athletic events. They do not have an “academic” reporter.</p>
<p>FallGirl,
For 3 years I sent a list of names of students who received an annual academic award at our high school to our local paper, but they were never published. I don’t think lists are enough to make a story. I think the paper wants an “angle” to go with it.</p>
<p>Even if the school has a high number of NM commended, NMSF and NMF, it still make sense to recognize the children.
At DD high school almost 35% of the class is NMSF with another 30% commended. Still the school names both in the school monthly magzine and honor NMSF in the assembly.
I think NMF is quite useful in landing merit scholarship at schools like USC, so it should not be taken lightly.</p>
<p>All achievements should be recognized- NM, art, athletics, community service, etc.</p>