National Merit Commended Scholar

[Anonymous]

Recently saw that the index number for commended scholar for graduating class of 2025 is 208.

For those who know, can you please clarify that this is the same for every state?
In other words, I know that to be a semi-finalist, the number is varies by state (and Virginia will be something like 221), but is commended scholar the same number for all states?

Also should child put this in common app as an honor/award? Or is that just highlighting that they weren’t a semifinalist/finalist?

[Anonymous]

Yes, the selection index is established for all states and DC, so if it’s 208 this year, that will be the Commended Scholar threshold for everyone in every state (and DC). The NMSF threshold is where the selection index varies by state (and DC).

In terms of whether to include it, I would do so if you don’t have other awards that are considered more selective and/or your list of awards doesn’t allow you to max out the category. On the Common App, you have five award slots, right? So if you have five or more other awards that are more selective and/or that help to cast your application in the best light possible, don’t use it. But if you only have four other awards, definitely use it.

On the UC App, ECs and awards are combined and you have 20 slots. If leaving out the Commended Scholar recognition leaves you with 17 slots filled, don’t even think about leaving it out. But if you have at least 20 other ECs and/or awards to use that all paint a better portrait of you than the NM Commended Scholar recognition, leave it out.

Also, if your score is high (but insufficient to meet the threshold for NMSF in your state), remember that you can specifically note your Selection Index so the reader understands the context. Your NM Commended Scholar status with a 220 Selection Index in California or Maryland or DC or another competitive state will obviously be perceived as a more impressive accomplishment than another applicant with NMSF recognition but a Selection Index of 213 in Montana or Mississippi, as an example.

[Anonymous]

Usually there are a few states where their threshold for Semi Finalist is set to the same number as the commended. Last year, for the high school class of 2024, West Virginia, Wyoming, Montana, and New Mexico all had semi finalist cut offs at 207, which was the same score for "commended."

[Anonymous]

Is Commended the same as Quarter-Finalist? Saw a FB post about the latter - I always knew it as Commended.

[Anonymous]

Yes, commended is a national number, while semifinalist is state based. I think commended is especially helpful in states with high semifinalist cutoff. No one knows if your kid had a high score and just missed the semifinalist cut or just made commended!

Never heard on quarter finalist. I don't think that's a thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, commended is a national number, while semifinalist is state based. I think commended is especially helpful in states with high semifinalist cutoff. No one knows if your kid had a high score and just missed the semifinalist cut or just made commended!

Never heard on quarter finalist. I don't think that's a thing.

OP and this is what I was thinking. Virginia cutoff is projected to be 221 this year and my kid is 210 (so not “close” for Virginia), but still above the 208 mark.
But if child lists “commended scholar”—then for all the school knows, child’s index # could have been 220. So probably good to include along with four other awards.
Not sure DC has five “awards” to list without this.

Thanks to all for the valuable input.

[Anonymous]

My son was 215 in Virginia- so I guess commended it is.

[Anonymous]

Where can I find this data for DC2026?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, commended is a national number, while semifinalist is state based. I think commended is especially helpful in states with high semifinalist cutoff. No one knows if your kid had a high score and just missed the semifinalist cut or just made commended!

Never heard on quarter finalist. I don't think that's a thing.

OP and this is what I was thinking. Virginia cutoff is projected to be 221 this year and my kid is 210 (so not “close” for Virginia), but still above the 208 mark.
But if child lists “commended scholar”—then for all the school knows, child’s index # could have been 220. So probably good to include along with four other awards.
Not sure DC has five “awards” to list without this.

Thanks to all for the valuable input.

You're welcome. Before someone out there poopoos commended (a matter of time on this board), mine got into a T10. Did not list it as 1 of the 5 honors though, because official notification is in Nov after early app deadline, but sent in update with that and another accomplishment (thought both were a bit lean on their own).

[Anonymous]

When are the numbers finalized? My kid got a 224 (PSAT 1500)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When are the numbers finalized? My kid got a 224 (PSAT 1500)

They should be NMSF regardless where you reside, as I don’t believe any state’s cutoff exceeds 2024.

[Anonymous]

My kid listed it on Common App. If you have space for it, list it.