PSAT Results - Compare

[Anonymous]

To the PP who asked if NMF makes a difference. My nephew was a NMF, 4 years ago. This did not make any difference to his admissions prospects at colleges, but it did get him more merit aid than he otherwise would have, making his college affordable enough for him to go there. Without the aid, he would have chosen a slightly lower tier program.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for the information on the process! Good luck to everyone

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Does being awarded National Merit Semi-Finalist make any difference on the college application?

No. NMSF is like the score itself but less precise. The actual score is strictly better.

I would agree that the actual score is better, especially a kid who has a high score coming from DMV or NJ versus a kid from Alabama or Florida who have a much lower index score cutoff for the NMSF.

What I don’t understand is how they are so many kids who seem to report 1500+ SAT scores and only a small number of students get NMSF (for Class of 2025, there were only 47 in DC, 296 in MD, and 394 in VA).

My kid is one of those 1500+ PSAT scorers who only got "commended" because her math score was higher than her verbal. The NM index weights the verbal twice as heavily as the math. (Also, DC's cutoff always matches the state with the highest cutoff--usually NJ--according to College Board's policy.)

NP. Side note: that is INSANELY unfair they set DC’s score that way!

It would actually be even higher if they treated DC like a state.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Does being awarded National Merit Semi-Finalist make any difference on the college application?

I was wondering the same thing, and whether it is worth it to try to qualify for a scholarship if you get NMSF. The actual scholarship amounts are pretty low, and the criteria seem a little silly (e.g., endorsement by the school principal). When I looked at some of the industry scholarships, it seemed not worth going through the process if your kid is a white male.

What is the process that you have to go through to actually become a NMS from a finalist? How does being a white male factor into that process? Where do we find out about the process? Thanks

My kid is NMSF - once he was notified in September by his school he had a few weeks to complete an application by early October. Aside from personal info, he had to submit a short essay (500-600 words). School had to also submit info and a validating SAT score is also needed. The SAT score index and info is online.

There are 3 types of scholarships:

National Merit $2500
National Merit corporate partners (varies)
Colleges & Universities (varies)

Here’s the non-resident scholarship offered by University of Oklahoma - almost full ride

https://ou.edu/content/dam/recruitment/honors/National%20Merit_NRES_2024.pdf

My kid was a NMF last year and took the true FULL RIDE NMF scholarship at Alabama. Roll tide.

[Anonymous]

The Claremont colleges offer scholarship for NMF.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does being awarded National Merit Semi-Finalist make any difference on the college application?

I was wondering the same thing, and whether it is worth it to try to qualify for a scholarship if you get NMSF. The actual scholarship amounts are pretty low, and the criteria seem a little silly (e.g., endorsement by the school principal). When I looked at some of the industry scholarships, it seemed not worth going through the process if your kid is a white male.

What is the process that you have to go through to actually become a NMS from a finalist? How does being a white male factor into that process? Where do we find out about the process? Thanks

My kid is NMSF - once he was notified in September by his school he had a few weeks to complete an application by early October. Aside from personal info, he had to submit a short essay (500-600 words). School had to also submit info and a validating SAT score is also needed. The SAT score index and info is online.

There are 3 types of scholarships:

National Merit $2500
National Merit corporate partners (varies)
Colleges & Universities (varies)

Here’s the non-resident scholarship offered by University of Oklahoma - almost full ride

https://ou.edu/content/dam/recruitment/honors/National%20Merit_NRES_2024.pdf

My kid was a NMF last year and took the true FULL RIDE NMF scholarship at Alabama. Roll tide.

Alabama is on our list! How’s it going for your kid? Any surprises good or bad?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Didn’t do so well - 1290, 11th grade.

Mine did way worse as 10th grader. Sigh.

Yea we’re sitting over here with a 940 wondering if college is even an option

Of course it is. You will find the right school for your DC. Don't pay any attention to the scores posted here. WE know the crowd that posts on DCUM. The vast majority of kids are likely in the same boat as your DC.
My kids is 10th. The text chain with her friend has a range of scores which include similar to your DC's. It is very early. The purpose of the PSAT is to allow for time to prepare, work on areas of improvement and try again. You got this.

+1
Just googled and it said the average PSAT score is 920.

[Anonymous]

Why do I see so many perfect PSAT scores on Reddit? Are they for real?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do I see so many perfect PSAT scores on Reddit? Are they for real?[/quote
Self-selection. Students gunning for top colleges tend to post there. It isn't representative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do I see so many perfect PSAT scores on Reddit? Are they for real?

Self-selection. Students gunning for top colleges tend to post there. It isn't representative.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:DC got a 1500 (740,760) on PSAT. Does this help with college applications?

UC's and William & Mary are targets. GPA is on the low end (4.1)

SAT 1560 but many colleges are test blind.

🙄

GPA still matter most but perhaps you can now pick up some merit money she wouldn’t otherwise have qualified for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does being awarded National Merit Semi-Finalist make any difference on the college application?

I was wondering the same thing, and whether it is worth it to try to qualify for a scholarship if you get NMSF. The actual scholarship amounts are pretty low, and the criteria seem a little silly (e.g., endorsement by the school principal). When I looked at some of the industry scholarships, it seemed not worth going through the process if your kid is a white male.

There are about 20 - 30 schools that offer partial tuition to full tuition to full rides just for NMSF/F status. My kid is a senior now and applying to 10 schools on this list plus in state options and some T20 options too. For us, it’s a great option to have more options to consider. It will be hard to turn down a full ride.

Yep, same. My kid took the psat seriously!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do I see so many perfect PSAT scores on Reddit? Are they for real?[/quote
Self-selection. Students gunning for top colleges tend to post there. It isn't representative.

I would be curious to see this year’s scores compared to prior PSAT scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do I see so many perfect PSAT scores on Reddit? Are they for real?[/quote
Self-selection. Students gunning for top colleges tend to post there. It isn't representative.

I would be curious to see this year’s scores compared to prior PSAT scores.

we should have that mid nov when all the scores come out so will let us know national commended-which my kid should make 214, very upset that they wont be nmsqt

of note some kids from his school scored lower on this psat than ovt sat they took which is reassuring for us re when my kid takes sat in nov

[Anonymous]

1440 9th grade