<p>Is there an approximate range?</p>
<p>on the PSAT? I had a 208 (2080) and got commended. I went down a bit on the SAT to a 2000.</p>
<p>kate, it depends on the state; CA's cutoff for NM [was] 216 last year; >= 216 is national merit... different for every state tho...</p>
<p>anyone know what the cutoff was for NJ? now I'm curious</p>
<p>I think NJ's cutoff was 223, but I'm not 100% certain.</p>
<p>My son is a NMSF with a 226 in Washington. I don't know what the cutoff was.</p>
<p>In Oklahoma the lowest scorer at my school was 211. I don't know of any lower, as my school is the only one in town to even have NHSFs...</p>
<p>commended student cutoff this year was a 203.</p>
<p>My son was commended in one of the more competitive states. He could have made semi-finalist in West Virginia! </p>
<p>His SAT score was just over 2100.</p>
<p>What do you need on the SAT to continue on to being a finalist (after you know you're a semifinalist)?</p>
<p>Your SAT scores need to be comparable to your PSAT scores. I think, for example, a 223 PSAT and a 2290 would be comparable. SAT scores do not need to be lower than projected PSAT scores. If you received a 223 PSAT, then I don't think you can score below the 2230 range on the SAT to remain competitive. Also, as previous posters have mentioned, this depends on the cut-off for your state. You also have to provide additional info, essay, ECs, and recommendations to become a finalist. I also believe you receive info about this in a packet if you are indeed named a sem-finalist. It explains everything you need to compete. You can also check out the National Merit Finalist website--I don't know if requirements change every year. Good Luck!!</p>
<p>Can anyone predict what the commended cutoff will be for 2008 graduates? And if you make the cutoff, do you automatically get a letter of commendation and a chance at corporate scholarships?</p>
<p>I got a 210 and got commended. It also depends on what state you're from. I'm from california.</p>
<p>I do not think it is correct that you "can't" score below your PSAT score on the SAT (i.e. PSAT 230, so you can't score below a 2300 on the SAT) and become a finalist. We have been told by past NM Finalists that the SAT score didn't seem to be that big of a factor. If you look on your PSAT score sheet, under the score for each of the three sections, there is a range of scores you 'might' expect to get on the SAT. If you fall into that range of scores, you should be fine. What we have heard is that what usually keeps students from advancing from NMSF to Finalist includes poor grades in high school (often very bright students don't care about keeping up their grades), the student has been subject to some sort of disciplinary action 'unbecoming to a NMF', and believe it or not, some students just don't do the paperwork required to advance. I think is would have to be a huge difference between PSAT socre and SAT score to keep you from becoming a NMF.
There is a great posting on the 'Financial Aid' discussion forum on all the cutoff scores from each state.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone.</p>