National Merit Semifinalists 2024

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:


Yep. Several kids with extra time on the lists who don't use it in class but pulled it out for this and the SAT.
Their parents are masters at manipulating the system. Their classmates know who is legitimately smart and who worked the system---lots of chatter this week.
It ultimately won't be much of a bump for these kids as they are not near the top of the class so their grades do not match up with their inflated PSAT or SAT.

For every kid you think manipulated the test, there's also a kid like mine who happens to be a great test taker, so they took the PSAT/NMSQT to leverage that strength because their grades don't stand out. I don't feel sour grapes about other kids' "inflated" GPAs or ECs. All you can do is encourage each kid to shine in their best light and embrace holistic admissions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


Yep. Several kids with extra time on the lists who don't use it in class but pulled it out for this and the SAT.
Their parents are masters at manipulating the system. Their classmates know who is legitimately smart and who worked the system---lots of chatter this week.
It ultimately won't be much of a bump for these kids as they are not near the top of the class so their grades do not match up with their inflated PSAT or SAT.

For every kid you think manipulated the test, there's also a kid like mine who happens to be a great test taker, so they took the PSAT/NMSQT to leverage that strength because their grades don't stand out. I don't feel sour grapes about other kids' "inflated" GPAs or ECs. All you can do is encourage each kid to shine in their best light and embrace holistic admissions.

No one is talking about YOUR kid. They are happy for him/her.
Their classmates know who has extra time that they only pull out for this test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t need the money what’s the point of this? Does it help with college if you already have a 35 on ACT???

One way that it does help: I know of at least one Ivy league school whose regional AD will only meet with NMSFs when they visit the high school. Other colleges usually talk to anyone who signs up for a meeting slot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


Yep. Several kids with extra time on the lists who don't use it in class but pulled it out for this and the SAT.
Their parents are masters at manipulating the system. Their classmates know who is legitimately smart and who worked the system---lots of chatter this week.
It ultimately won't be much of a bump for these kids as they are not near the top of the class so their grades do not match up with their inflated PSAT or SAT.

For every kid you think manipulated the test, there's also a kid like mine who happens to be a great test taker, so they took the PSAT/NMSQT to leverage that strength because their grades don't stand out. I don't feel sour grapes about other kids' "inflated" GPAs or ECs. All you can do is encourage each kid to shine in their best light and embrace holistic admissions.

No one is talking about YOUR kid. They are happy for him/her.
Their classmates know who has extra time that they only pull out for this test.

No one gets extra time without a diagnosed need. Kids don't have to use the accommodations they are entitled to by law. Stop picking on these kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


Yep. Several kids with extra time on the lists who don't use it in class but pulled it out for this and the SAT.
Their parents are masters at manipulating the system. Their classmates know who is legitimately smart and who worked the system---lots of chatter this week.
It ultimately won't be much of a bump for these kids as they are not near the top of the class so their grades do not match up with their inflated PSAT or SAT.

For every kid you think manipulated the test, there's also a kid like mine who happens to be a great test taker, so they took the PSAT/NMSQT to leverage that strength because their grades don't stand out. I don't feel sour grapes about other kids' "inflated" GPAs or ECs. All you can do is encourage each kid to shine in their best light and embrace holistic admissions.

No one is talking about YOUR kid. They are happy for him/her.
Their classmates know who has extra time that they only pull out for this test.

No one gets extra time without a diagnosed need. Kids don't have to use the accommodations they are entitled to by law. Stop picking on these kids.

The key is *diagnosed*. The current system is set up to reward kids with -- charitibly -- a diagnosis of marginal disabilities, whose scores go up slightly with the extra time allotted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


Yep. Several kids with extra time on the lists who don't use it in class but pulled it out for this and the SAT.
Their parents are masters at manipulating the system. Their classmates know who is legitimately smart and who worked the system---lots of chatter this week.
It ultimately won't be much of a bump for these kids as they are not near the top of the class so their grades do not match up with their inflated PSAT or SAT.

For every kid you think manipulated the test, there's also a kid like mine who happens to be a great test taker, so they took the PSAT/NMSQT to leverage that strength because their grades don't stand out. I don't feel sour grapes about other kids' "inflated" GPAs or ECs. All you can do is encourage each kid to shine in their best light and embrace holistic admissions.

No one is talking about YOUR kid. They are happy for him/her.
Their classmates know who has extra time that they only pull out for this test.

How do we know which kids you ARE talking about? As far as we know, you could be talking about any student on the NMSF list when you say they "cheated" and you hope their "inflated" scores catch up to them. You drag them all down. Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


Yep. Several kids with extra time on the lists who don't use it in class but pulled it out for this and the SAT.
Their parents are masters at manipulating the system. Their classmates know who is legitimately smart and who worked the system---lots of chatter this week.
It ultimately won't be much of a bump for these kids as they are not near the top of the class so their grades do not match up with their inflated PSAT or SAT.

For every kid you think manipulated the test, there's also a kid like mine who happens to be a great test taker, so they took the PSAT/NMSQT to leverage that strength because their grades don't stand out. I don't feel sour grapes about other kids' "inflated" GPAs or ECs. All you can do is encourage each kid to shine in their best light and embrace holistic admissions.

No one is talking about YOUR kid. They are happy for him/her.
Their classmates know who has extra time that they only pull out for this test.

No one gets extra time without a diagnosed need. Kids don't have to use the accommodations they are entitled to by law. Stop picking on these kids.

The key is *diagnosed*. The current system is set up to reward kids with -- charitibly -- a diagnosis of marginal disabilities, whose scores go up slightly with the extra time allotted.

From what point does one's score need to be, to "go up slightly" and reach NMSF status? Hmmm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


Yep. Several kids with extra time on the lists who don't use it in class but pulled it out for this and the SAT.
Their parents are masters at manipulating the system. Their classmates know who is legitimately smart and who worked the system---lots of chatter this week.
It ultimately won't be much of a bump for these kids as they are not near the top of the class so their grades do not match up with their inflated PSAT or SAT.

For every kid you think manipulated the test, there's also a kid like mine who happens to be a great test taker, so they took the PSAT/NMSQT to leverage that strength because their grades don't stand out. I don't feel sour grapes about other kids' "inflated" GPAs or ECs. All you can do is encourage each kid to shine in their best light and embrace holistic admissions.

No one is talking about YOUR kid. They are happy for him/her.
Their classmates know who has extra time that they only pull out for this test.

How do we know which kids you ARE talking about? As far as we know, you could be talking about any student on the NMSF list when you say they "cheated" and you hope their "inflated" scores catch up to them. You drag them all down. Why?

There are multiple people posting about this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t need the money what’s the point of this? Does it help with college if you already have a 35 on ACT???

One way that it does help: I know of at least one Ivy league school whose regional AD will only meet with NMSFs when they visit the high school. Other colleges usually talk to anyone who signs up for a meeting slot.

Sure, Jan. Name the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


Yep. Several kids with extra time on the lists who don't use it in class but pulled it out for this and the SAT.
Their parents are masters at manipulating the system. Their classmates know who is legitimately smart and who worked the system---lots of chatter this week.
It ultimately won't be much of a bump for these kids as they are not near the top of the class so their grades do not match up with their inflated PSAT or SAT.

For every kid you think manipulated the test, there's also a kid like mine who happens to be a great test taker, so they took the PSAT/NMSQT to leverage that strength because their grades don't stand out. I don't feel sour grapes about other kids' "inflated" GPAs or ECs. All you can do is encourage each kid to shine in their best light and embrace holistic admissions.

No one is talking about YOUR kid. They are happy for him/her.
Their classmates know who has extra time that they only pull out for this test.

How do we know which kids you ARE talking about? As far as we know, you could be talking about any student on the NMSF list when you say they "cheated" and you hope their "inflated" scores catch up to them. You drag them all down. Why?

There are multiple people posting about this.

This happens every year. The NMSF list comes out and some people cannot resist trying to devalue it by claiming kids get extra time. Or it really doesn’t matter. Or it's only the nerdy one-dimensional grinders who do well. Or whatever makes them feel better about whatever insecurity they harbor about themselves.

Some kids did well on a test. If you can’t celebrate that, then ignore it. No one is threatening you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t need the money what’s the point of this? Does it help with college if you already have a 35 on ACT???

One way that it does help: I know of at least one Ivy league school whose regional AD will only meet with NMSFs when they visit the high school. Other colleges usually talk to anyone who signs up for a meeting slot.

Sure, Jan. Name the school.

Yale.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


Yep. Several kids with extra time on the lists who don't use it in class but pulled it out for this and the SAT.
Their parents are masters at manipulating the system. Their classmates know who is legitimately smart and who worked the system---lots of chatter this week.
It ultimately won't be much of a bump for these kids as they are not near the top of the class so their grades do not match up with their inflated PSAT or SAT.

For every kid you think manipulated the test, there's also a kid like mine who happens to be a great test taker, so they took the PSAT/NMSQT to leverage that strength because their grades don't stand out. I don't feel sour grapes about other kids' "inflated" GPAs or ECs. All you can do is encourage each kid to shine in their best light and embrace holistic admissions.

The reality is that while some unfair stuff does happen, most kids are putting in honest effort. Ironically, I think it's the people who go around believing that everyone else is cheating who end up actually cheating. They've talked themselves into believing the world is unfair and everyone must cheat to get ahead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t need the money what’s the point of this? Does it help with college if you already have a 35 on ACT???

One way that it does help: I know of at least one Ivy league school whose regional AD will only meet with NMSFs when they visit the high school. Other colleges usually talk to anyone who signs up for a meeting slot.

Sure, Jan. Name the school.

Yale.

Pretty sure a Yale AD doesn’t visit our school, which has 20+ NMSFs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t need the money what’s the point of this? Does it help with college if you already have a 35 on ACT???

One way that it does help: I know of at least one Ivy league school whose regional AD will only meet with NMSFs when they visit the high school. Other colleges usually talk to anyone who signs up for a meeting slot.

Sure, Jan. Name the school.

Yale.

Pretty sure a Yale AD doesn’t visit our school, which has 20+ NMSFs.

Not contradictory. Perhaps if the Yale AO did visit your school, they would only meet with those NMSFs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t need the money what’s the point of this? Does it help with college if you already have a 35 on ACT???

One way that it does help: I know of at least one Ivy league school whose regional AD will only meet with NMSFs when they visit the high school. Other colleges usually talk to anyone who signs up for a meeting slot.

Sure, Jan. Name the school.

Yale.

This is complete nonsense. Yale AD visits our school and meets with everyone which includes way more than NMSF kids. Yale only went back to requiring tests for the 2025 cycle.