<p>When we have time, DW and I always take a leisure walk on the track of nearby HS. These past couple days, the matching has been practicing on the field until pretty late. </p>
<p>This is a relatively small HS and the last graduating class was less than 100 students. To field such a large band, I will assume there got to be so juniors.</p>
<p>As most of us know, they got to take the important PSAT today. So, should they stay home studying for the test or fullfil their duty to practice in the band? This totally reminded me of my struggle with DD last year. I wanted her to study for SAT II, but she stayed at school doing tech crew for a school play until later for the whole week. I wanted her to spend time writting her essay, she opt to help GC for a mass mailing and got home so late that she almost missed a deadline. At the the end, she got admitted to Stanford over several classmates who have applied with better grades and possibily better test scores. </p>
<p>As we were walking, it hited me. A good student should be able to balance study and E/C. A good student should focus on doing what is good for them rather than what looks good on paper. Once the GPA and test scores are within the ball park, it is really the other quality that sends the ball over the fence. Of course, some luck was definitely involved here.</p>
<p>DD was just doing relatively small things that was critically needed by the school. They did not earn her a headline in the newspaper, but a good impression in the heart of the teachers. All these probably were well discribed in the recommendation latters. </p>
<p>I am so glad that our DD made right decisions, I am so proud of her.</p>
<p>Well I agree with the sentiment. In addition to the specifics of preparing for school, we need to look at and applaud students like DadII daughter. </p>
<p>Most of the students whose parents are on here will not fail because they go to UCLA instead of Stanford or Michigan State instead of Northwestern. They will fail ( or come up short of there potential ) because of 'personal decisions' ... cutting an ethical corner at work or school, decidng to drive while drinking, and on and on .... teaching our children to make the right decisions is probably the most important thing we can do IMHO</p>
<p>I can't really see how studying for the PSAT the night before the exam would change the results. Go to band practice, get a good night's sleep, eat a good breakfast, go take the test.</p>
<p>Agree with maysixxmom. It does no particular good to "study" for the PSAT the night before. It is not a subject test. Much better to be relaxed and rested. Marching band practice is a workout. Going home afterward to go to sleep and get up to a good breakfast will do much more to be ready. Preparation comes long before the night before.</p>
<p>S2 went to football practice, came home, did a little reading, watched some TV and went to bed early. Got 9 1/2 hours of sleep. No practicing for tests. He was very happy with how things went today; I told him if he gave his best effort and was satisifed, that's fine with me.</p>
<p>Yes, DadII, your D has her priorities in the right order. We told you so! :)</p>
<p>I don't understand studying for the PSAT's, either. My daughter has a classmate whose parents told her it was <em>imperative</em> that she get a National Merit Scholarship, so she has been obsessively 'cramming' for the PSAT for the past month. I realize that money for many families is tight, but that approach really seemed difficult to me.</p>
<p>Did the parents know how hard it is to get a National Merit Scholarship? I feel sorry for your daughter's classmate to be put under such an unreasonable expectation and pressure.</p>
<p>Well, they're well educated and affluent and I'm sure they understand it's hard. I agree it's a lot of pressure. My daughter felt very bad for her, too. It's especially difficult here in our state, where there are so many students and so many high performing ones particularly. I've never thought of the PSATs as something to study for, but then again, I was NMS finalist (but didn't apply to my first choice school, so I'll never know if I would have one), and I didn't study for any standardized tests like that.</p>
<p>Lots of small schools give automatic merit money to NMS finalists. My son's top three schools, Carleton, Macalester and Beloit, all give thousands of dollars to finalists. I'd say twenty thousand dollars is an adequate reason to do a little studying.</p>
<p>Re Post #9 - TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS just for being a NM finalist? I was one a million years ago and didn't get a dime!</p>
<p>My kids didn't study for PSAT at all (they reviewed the little booklet put out by the test people) and just used the results to figure out what they had to work on for the SAT.</p>
<p>To make National Merit work for you, in most instances you either have to 1) have a parent who works for a corporation that sponsors National Merit Scholarships or 2) be interested in attending a college that sponsors National Merit Scholarships (most of which are NOT among the top choices of kids in this academic range).</p>
<p>Neither of these things worked for either of us. Thus, no money.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I was a NM finalist who needed to look at schools that did give NM money. It is out there for those who need it badly enough to select a school based on that. I did not particularly enjoy my school, which is one reason I made sure my children could go where ever they wanted.</p>
<p>Kids here take the PSAT on Saturday, after the Friday night football games. I agree a good night's sleep is probably the most important preparation.</p>
<p>
[quote]
To make National Merit work for you, in most instances you either have to 1) have a parent who works for a corporation that sponsors National Merit Scholarships or 2) be interested in attending a college that sponsors National Merit Scholarships (most of which are NOT among the top choices of kids in this academic range).
[/quote]
And to make the whole system work for you (that is, to even qualify as a NMF), make sure you live in a state with a low qualifying index. It's not really "national" merit, is it...?</p>
<p>Marian is right. Moreover, the typical National Merit scholarship is around $2,000.</p>
<p>In many cases, if you also get need-based aid, any college-sponsored NMS will be subtracted from your other grants. (Cardinal Fang, my S got into Carleton and was an NMF, and there was no mention of any NMF-related money in his [inadequate] FA package. Maybe that would have come later?)</p>
<p>It's a nice honor, but probably more irritating if you miss the cutoff than positive if you make it, if you know what I mean! :)</p>
<p>Maybe it means more to those who are going for merit aid instead of need-based aid.
Like many above, both I and my kid were NMFs a number of decades apart, and neither of us got any $$.</p>
<p>Oh, and DadII, I think your D was right, as difficult as it can be to see when embroiled in the process.</p>
<p>National Merit status ended up being worth over $80,000 to my son at his #1 choice, for which I'm extremely grateful. It's a bit hard to resist encouraging my D to do well when she takes the test this Saturday. Having the option of going to an excellent college with that kind of merit money is pretty attractive to a family who will get no need-based aid.</p>
<p>DadII, I'm glad you recognize that your daughter took the right path!</p>
<p>there are schools that give an automatic half to full tuition scholarships to NMFs. Some are well known and prestigious (like USC). Others are less known. For a family that needs it to afford college it can make a world of difference.</p>
<p>Consolation, here's what Carleton has to say about NMF:</p>
<p>Merit Finalists who name Carleton as their college choice become eligible for a $2000 per year Scholarship for 4 years. This is regardless of financial need. </p>
<p>For students awarded need-based aid, the Carleton Merit Scholarship is used to reduce the loan and/or work portion of your financial aid package. </p>
<p>If you are selected for a one-time "National" National Merit Scholarship of $2,500, we will continue that scholarship in subsequent years at $2,000 per year. So, all Merit Scholars receive a 4-year scholarship at Carleton. </p>
<p>Many schools state they will either not reduce aid or reduce loans first if you get awards for merit. One caveat, check your finaid before and after reporting outside merit aid. DDs school did reduce grants, I pointed it out, they fixed it. Had I not printed and saved the initial offer, I would not have known they did that, so print and keep it all to make sure no errors are made</p>