Why are national merit scholarships so $$$?

<p>The state university system is obligated to accept the credits from the local state college but the private schools with more competitive admissions have no such obligation. I suppose it depends on the school. Ours isn’t the greatest. :(</p>

<p>There is a difference between taking AP Calculus BC and then moving onto multivariable calculus vs taking the equivalent of calculus BC in a community college while ignoring the AP in your school. The private colleges understand a 5 in BC but they can not evaluate the requirements at every community college in the nation to ensure an A means the same across the board.</p>

<p>Although one may not get credit, they may still be able to place out or just go to the next level math class because they already completed the material. Private colleges prefer you spend 4 years at their college and thus want to minimize credits being given for any high school work.</p>

<p>Caltech gives zero credit for any APs.</p>

<p>Regarding the PSAT…our kids had to take it in 9th and 10th, and then of course 11th. At the time I remember thinking that it was time wasted and too much of a focus on testing. Now, I must say, I am glad that had the prep.
T</p>

<p>The PSAT is essentially the SAT. Here’s what it does. It shows a student can take the test in back to back years and do extremely well. It’s hard enough to do well in one year, during well back to back is a true achievement. The NMCorp also puts together a nice little package of authenticated grades, recommendations and essay. It’s a true third party attestation of the student’s talent.</p>