worried about making Finalist?

Paying for College National Merit Aid
1

<p>Hey, so I scored a 226/7 (my memory isn't the best, heh) on the PSAT and I got a 2270 on the SAT and my GPA's solid and my rec letters should be good and all of that but I'm really worried about not making Finalist for two reasons:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>My essay comes off as a little too... edgy, I guess? The prose is somewhat purple, I go a little bit too far into philosophy, talk about sunrises, etc. and I'm not really sure how the people will take that :x</p></li>
<li><p>I sent in my SAT scores a little late OTL I know the page says I have until December something to turn it in and I sent 'em in at the beginning of this month (November) but I'm still worried nonetheless - will this be a big setback or anything?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I probably come off as really silly but hey as college application season draws to a close I continually find myself closer to panicking and ahaahahhhhh;; (I just really want the USC scholarship okay)</p>

<p>Also this is kind of related but USC gives out that one scholarship for people that score top 1-2% on the SAT in the country and my superscore is CR780/W800/M730 aaaaaand I was wondering if that'd put me in a safety zone for that particular scholarship? (Also if it helps at all I studied pretty hard and snagged myself a 800 on Math II, if that's relevant at all?)</p>

<p>Thanks in advance, everyone! Your time and effort into helping a flailing teen is much appreciated!!</p>

2

<p>Sounds fine. You can call the NM office and check if your scores have been received.
Then don’t worry. That SAT score should be safely in the top 1-2%</p>

3

<p>There is no essay score on the PSAT.</p>

<p>Your essay sounds fine. It’s not rude or critical of the NMF process.</p>

<p>You sent your SAT score in on time…you are not late. </p>

<p>I don’t think they superscore the SAT for the one time awards of 2500. That selection process is a bit of a mystery. Your SAT II score won’t matter at all. </p>

<p>Only 2500 NMFs get that one time award, so being in the top 1-2% is not what counts, since many/most of the 15,000 NMFs have SATs in the top 1-2%.</p>

<p>If you want a NMF scholarship, then apply to the colleges that GIVE them to ALL of their NMF applicants.</p>

4

<p>IF you are a NM finalist[ and I see no reason you wont be IF you and your HS Counselor sent in all the required paper work] AND you are accepted at USC AND you designate them as your first choice by the Mid May deadline, then you WILL be awarded their 1/2 tuition scholarship, plus $1000/ year from National Merit.</p>

5

<p>u be ok dude</p>