I just got my PSAT scores today with a NMSC index of 226. Based on predictions and data from last year, the cutoff to be a National Merit Semifinalist for my state is ~217, so I’m pretty much guaranteed. I’m really happy, but I’m not sure I have a real chance at getting the actual scholarship when I’m competing with such an elite group. What can I do between this year and next to maximize my chances? What does National Merit look for when choosing Scholars? (Important note: I’m going to do early admission next year if I can, no way am I spending another year in high school when I can do my senior year at CC instead. How can I work with my plan to do early admission and try for the scholarship?)
Hi! First of all, congrats!
I am a semifinalist this year and expect to become a finalist this February. I made a 225 (A 1500/1520) and advanced in NC, which is fairly competitive, and with a score so close to perfect you are right to expect SF.
I wouldn’t stress too much about the application at all. When you become a semifinalist, they contact your principal who will give you the online username and password for your application. The application should be very easy if you have already started your common app- you list family info, major you want, top school if you have one, 4 or 5 activities, 4 or 5 honors/awards, and 1-3 jobs. I don’t remember if volunteering was one but there will be somewhere you can squeeze it in if it’s important.
Besides this information, you have an essay to write (I think around 500 words). I do not remember the prompt but do remember that there were two to choose from and that they were broad enough that I just copy and pasted my common app essay into it and it worked well for the prompt.
The last part of the application is sending in SAT scores. This is annoying because they essentially make you pay to send it to themselves. As long as you score a 1400+ you’re fine but if you score super high then even better.
So that is basically the application! The only thing you can really do is think about what your most important activities and honors are, think of creative essay topics, and work on raising SAT scores. But these are things you should be doing anyway to prepare for college apps! So really, it’s no more stress than you would have had already, besides maybe writing an essay. You may also want to look into schools that give out lots of NMS money (like Alabama, OU, ASU…).
Good luck!
Hey, thanks for your expedient reply! I also got a 1500/1520, so it looks like we’re in the same boat there.
I haven’t started my common app yet, but I have most of that stuff on Naviance and raise.me (a scholarship site), so not too hard, except for the essay part. When I took the SAT sophomore year I got a 1470 but hopefully that will improve when I take it in March. I don’t know what I want to major in yet - that shouldn’t be a problem, should it?
I live in Florida and would prefer to go in state, so I guess I’ll look for schools around here that give our NMS money, if there are any.
15000/16000 students that get NMSF also get NMF. The 1/16 who don’t have something like disciplinary issues or don’t bother completing the paperwork because they are going to attend a school that doesn’t care about NMF.
@“Erin’s Dad” I think this needs to be moved to the NMF forum
@tellurium Your state gives NMFs full rides to any Florida public univ
@tellurium @mom2collegekids Florida does better than full rides for their National Merit Finalists. The state of Florida provides the full cost of attendance for all of their NMFs who remain in state! Its called the Benaquisto Scholarship & more information can be found here. http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/factsheets/FIS.pdf . Its why my NMSF daughter, hopefully soon to be NMF daughter, will be attending either Florida State(accepted) or the University of Florida( awaiting decision). There is also a helpful, active forum here on CC for Florida NMFs receiving the Benaquisto Scholarship. Congrats @tellurium!
I also have an SI of 226 and a score of 1500. What I’m doing right now is researching financial safeties that give a big scholarship for national merit. They aren’t my top choice schools, but I’m trying to get excited about having them as backups.
Also, don’t forget to take the SAT now, to “verify” your score. I’m slightly annoyed because I got a 36 on the ACT and really don’t want to take another test 
Wow, I had no idea about that scholarship, this works out perfectly since I was planning to go in state anyway. @floridamomof3 could you by any chance direct me to this forum you speak of?
I already took the SAT last year and got a 1470, but I’ll be taking it again when it’s offered for free in the spring, hopefully scoring in the 1500s. I feel you, my parents are making me take the essay portion and I’d rather not, but hey, at least it’s free.
@tellurium “FIS National Merit Finalists Latest Info” is how its listed here on College Confidential. The Benaquisto Scholarship used to be called the Florida Incentive Scholarhip ( FIS) and was renamed for the legislator instrumental in successfully pushing for it to be continued in our state. The people posting are mostly those who have already been accepted to UF & maybe a couple to FSU and are discussing how the scholarship works & the funds are applied to accounts due at their universities. The parents or students there could answer your questions. I will tell you that the Benaquisto Scholarship’s goal of keeping many top students in Florida is working! Full cost of attendance for all of undergraduate school??! Yes, please! My daughter is hoping she makes NMF and then can use her college money for grad school.
@tellurium And if your parents are having you take the SAT essay for National Merit Finalist score verification, you don’t need to. Also, look at the Florida university admissions websites… UF and FSU no longer require the SAT or ACT essay.
@mom2collegekids - can you provide a link the NMF forum? Thanks!
Don’t stress about the application at all! I’m a class of 2017 semifinalist looking forward to Finalist notification soon. Contrary to what common sense suggests, the process to go from Semifinalist to Finalist is not very competitive. Over 93% of semifinalists become Finalists, and the 1 in 16 who are eliminated are people with poor grades, disciplinary problems, just didn’t bother to apply, etc. If you are a strong student without a glaring disqualifier, you have nothing to worry about as it is a pretty sure deal. Congratulations on crushing the PSAT!