<p>I heard in May that I was a "commended student." When are we supposed to find out if we're NMSF?</p>
<p>In May they sent letters that you will be either "Commended" or a "Scholar". We are supposed to find out in September. (So technically you're not commended yet, but you will at very least be commended in about a month.) :)</p>
<p>At least, this is the understanding of it I got from my GC. If I'm wrong, someone please correct me.</p>
<p>I've been wondering the same thing. I've noticed a lot of people listing in their stats that they're semifinalists, but I don't see how they can know for sure.</p>
<p>well if you look at previous years' numbers for what NMSFs received, you can basically judge if you're going to be one or not. i mean, 230+ is definitely NMSF, 220+ in MOST states (exceptions are places like Massachusetts), etc.</p>
<p>so you can know for sure if you got a high enough score. it is unlikely that the scores will jump a lot.</p>
<p>I got 10 points higher on the PSAT than the state cutoff, so I'm definitely going to be a semifinalist. But I'm confused--how do thegreatcosby and Madourd know for sure that they are commended/scholars? The first letter that NMSC sent us in May is for "high scores" in general, not just commended/scholars, right?</p>
<p>I don't know about them, but the letter I got in May said something about being commended, and being able to send a letter to two colleges letting them know that I'm commended. (I didn't send the letter.)</p>
<p>Program Recognition</p>
<p>Of the 1.3 million entrants, some 50,000 with the highest PSAT/NMSQT® Selection Index scores (critical reading + math + writing skills scores) qualify for recognition in the National Merit® Scholarship Program. In April following the fall test administration, high-scoring participants from every state are invited to name two colleges or universities to which they would like to be referred by NMSC. In September, these high scorers are notified through their schools that they have qualified as either a Commended Student or Semifinalist.
Commended Students</p>
<p>In late September, more than two-thirds or about 34,000 of the approximately 50,000 high scorers on the PSAT/NMSQT® receive Letters of Commendation in recognition of their outstanding academic promise. Commended Students are named on the basis of a nationally applied Selection Index score that may vary from year to year and is below the level required for participants to be named Semifinalists in their respective states. Although Commended Students do not continue in the competition for Merit Scholarship® awards, some of these students do become candidates for Special Scholarships sponsored by corporations and businesses.
Semifinalists</p>
<p>In early September, about 16,000 students, or approximately one-third of the 50,000 high scorers, are notified that they have qualified as Semifinalists. To ensure that academically able young people from all parts of the United States are included in this talent pool, Semifinalists are designated on a state representational basis. They are the highest scoring entrants in each state. NMSC provides scholarship application materials to Semifinalists through their high schools. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must advance to Finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards and all other requirements explained in the materials provided to each Semifinalist. Click here to learn about requirements for becoming a Finalist in the 2006 National Merit® Scholarship Program. (Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or above is required.)
Finalists</p>
<p>In February, some 15,000 Semifinalists are notified by mail at their home addresses that they have advanced to Finalist standing. High school principals are notified and provided with a certificate to present to each Finalist.</p>
<p>I've seen all that on the website before, but it's pretty vague about dates...
Does anyone have any estimate of when in "late september" it will be?
It seems like they should be able to give better ideas of the dates...</p>
<p>See
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=2851954#post2851954%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=2851954#post2851954</a><br>
for details, including links to the "by state" cutoffs for Semifinalist for the last couple of years.</p>
<p>Good luck...</p>