That’s good to know, PSAT scores lead to the merit scholarship. So, PSAT is important.
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The PSAT score is what usually determines National Merit status. But there is an alternate way using the SAT. Someone else will need to explain that.
What is that? May I please know.
Information about alternate entry using the SAT is on the NMSC website.
https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/interior.aspx?sid=1758&gid=2&pgid=424
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Even though you have said you are only aiming at the UCs, it is worth considering that some privates in California will take notice of PSAT results via NM standing. For example, the cost of USC can come down to around the same cost as the UCs (via a Presidential Scholarship), if your daughter does become a NMF.
My S included his NM status in the awards section for UC. That probably didn’t help with admission. However, it may have helped him in selection for a UCLA Regents scholarship (even though initial selection may be GPA-based).
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Oh wow, thank you for this, I did not know about Regent scholarship.
Thank you, I will read through this.
UC Regents and Chancellor scholarships are merit scholarships that are academically based and National Merit status alone is not a consideration in the selection process however, being a top applicant is a requirement. Usually the top 1-2% of the UC applicants will be automatically considered for these scholarships.
Below are the amounts awarded by each UC. For California residents that have a financial need, additional scholarship amounts are awarded based on the Federal, Cal Grant and UC Institutional grants.
UC Regents Scholarships and the amounts/year:
Amount: Awards vary by campus and are not transferable if you transfer to another UC campus.
- UC Berkley $2,500
- UC Davis $7,500
- UC Irvine $5,000
- UCLA $2,000
- UC Merced $7,000
- UC Riverside $10,000
- UC San Diego $2,000
- UC Santa Barbara $5,000
- UC Santa Cruz $5,000
In addition, certain perks are provided to Regents recipients: priority registration (not at UCSB), extended library privileges, honors dormitories, faculty mentorship, and others, dependent upon campus.
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It doesn’t seem like some of the UC’s select Regents and Chancellors purely on academics, but rather holistic reviews (factors undefined/unstated). Not sure why NMF wouldn’t be part of that decision making?
I’m not going to pull every school’s definition, but here is what UCB says:
The Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship is the most prestigious scholarship offered by UC Berkeley to entering undergraduate students. The scholarship is extended to a select cohort of Berkeley undergraduates who stand out for their creativity, leadership, service, and strong convictions. Candidates reflect one of the highest principles of this institution: commitment to excellence.
Candidates are selected from the top applicants to UC Berkeley through a holistic review process determined by the Academic Senate Committee on Undergraduate Scholarships, Honors, and Financial Aid.
UCLA:
Students determined by Undergraduate Admission to be the strongest applicants within the context of UCLA’s holistic review process are reviewed for this award by the Faculty Committee on Honors, Awards and Prizes.
The Regents Scholarship Program was established by the Regents of the University of California in 1962 and represents one of the highest honors awarded to a student at the University. Regents Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and exceptional promise. Scholarships | UCLA Financial Aid and Scholarships
My point is that as that an applicant’s National Merit status alone would not garner a scholarship in the UC system like other schools where National Merit scholars are recognized for such awards. Again, the UC’s are test blind and test scores are not a consideration in awarding scholarships.
Not sure how this discussion got sidetracked from the original question but I believe the student should consider prepping and taking the SAT to keep their college options open regardless if they will qualify for National Merit even if they are plan on only applying to the UC’s.
My daughter got Regents at 3 UCs, none of them considered NMS because she wasn’t one. But this information was a few years ago, things might have changed.