Anonymous
Post 10/10/2025 01:55     Subject: Re:National Merit Commended and test optional
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:DD is really smart but not a great test taker. Her SAT is 1440. My understanding is that National merit is really based off psat, not SAT.

I’m new to the college application process and want her to present the best application possible.


I wouldn’t submit that test score OOS to UVA, OOS to Michigan, Vandy or WashU for a humanities or social sciences major. Assuming stellar grades and this is a red flag in an otherwise strong app.

That was the case for my DC last cycle - into the schools listed above that they applied to TO.

Obv things changing now.


In-staters, like my Commended kid, can get into Michigan LSA with that level of score. The high OOS SATs are Engineers. OOS TO for Engineering might not get picked without a compelling holistic app. Too many high stats full-pay kids apply. Even in-state at a fancy private, the counselors suggested that 1500 minimum is needed for EA (1st round admission) to Engineering.

Michigan has ED this year if of interest. And definitely don't apply RD. Send app in for EA round as soon as possible if not doing ED.

The full-pay price is for rich people. No question. UMD and UVA are better deals and likely outcome in DMV job market would be similar.
Anonymous
Post 10/10/2025 00:46     Subject: Re:National Merit Commended and test optional
Anonymous wrote:DD is really smart but not a great test taker. Her SAT is 1440. My understanding is that National merit is really based off psat, not SAT.

I’m new to the college application process and want her to present the best application possible.


I wouldn’t submit that test score OOS to UVA, OOS to Michigan, Vandy or WashU for a humanities or social sciences major. Assuming stellar grades and this is a red flag in an otherwise strong app.

That was the case for my DC last cycle - into the schools listed above that they applied to TO.

Obv things changing now.
Anonymous
Post 10/10/2025 00:42     Subject: National Merit Commended and test optional
Anonymous wrote:The decision not to submit scores will depend on the college.

I do think it is a little weird to put Commended in the app and not submit SAT, but I don't think anyone is going to think too deeply about this. The award doesn't add much value regardless.


No it’s not.
Not at all place like Vanderbilt.
Anonymous
Post 10/10/2025 00:34     Subject: National Merit Commended and test optional
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I mean...when people apply test optional it's usually because their test scores are not too good. Was your DD a commended NMSF in North Dakota where the threshold is low?
If not, not sure why you would do this, so enlighten us, and maybe we can provide better advice.


Or they never took the test! Gasp! There are actually students who don't take the test?! What is happening??!

Students should test.
Anonymous
Post 10/09/2025 23:58     Subject: National Merit Commended and test optional
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I mean...when people apply test optional it's usually because their test scores are not too good. Was your DD a commended NMSF in North Dakota where the threshold is low?
If not, not sure why you would do this, so enlighten us, and maybe we can provide better advice.


Or they never took the test! Gasp! There are actually students who don't take the test?! What is happening??!


Well it's pretty dumb to not take the test if they're at the commended level. Clearly they do well enough to excel in the PSAT and the SAT is the same thing except longer.
Anonymous
Post 10/09/2025 23:56     Subject: National Merit Commended and test optional
Anonymous wrote:I mean...when people apply test optional it's usually because their test scores are not too good. Was your DD a commended NMSF in North Dakota where the threshold is low?
If not, not sure why you would do this, so enlighten us, and maybe we can provide better advice.


Or they never took the test! Gasp! There are actually students who don't take the test?! What is happening??!
Anonymous
Post 10/09/2025 23:56     Subject: National Merit Commended and test optional
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Right. So that's a very high scoring kid.

What schools are you applying to where you think the SAT will hurt?

I would put it on at a school where they like TO people in that score range.

It basically answers the question of how low the SAT can go for the state of residence. In my state that would have been 1430-ish for high school class of 2024.


PP. Sorry, I mean the PSAT value would equate to about that level.


OP here. That’s exactly right. DD’s SAT was 1440.
Anonymous
Post 10/09/2025 23:48     Subject: National Merit Commended and test optional
Anonymous wrote:Right. So that's a very high scoring kid.

What schools are you applying to where you think the SAT will hurt?

I would put it on at a school where they like TO people in that score range.

It basically answers the question of how low the SAT can go for the state of residence. In my state that would have been 1430-ish for high school class of 2024.


PP. Sorry, I mean the PSAT value would equate to about that level.
Anonymous
Post 10/09/2025 23:46     Subject: National Merit Commended and test optional
Right. So that's a very high scoring kid.

What schools are you applying to where you think the SAT will hurt?

I would put it on at a school where they like TO people in that score range.

It basically answers the question of how low the SAT can go for the state of residence. In my state that would have been 1430-ish for high school class of 2024.
Anonymous
Post 10/09/2025 23:46     Subject: Re:National Merit Commended and test optional
DD is really smart but not a great test taker. Her SAT is 1440. My understanding is that National merit is really based off psat, not SAT.

I’m new to the college application process and want her to present the best application possible.
Anonymous
Post 10/09/2025 23:45     Subject: National Merit Commended and test optional
The decision not to submit scores will depend on the college.

I do think it is a little weird to put Commended in the app and not submit SAT, but I don't think anyone is going to think too deeply about this. The award doesn't add much value regardless.
Anonymous
Post 10/09/2025 23:42     Subject: National Merit Commended and test optional
Anonymous wrote:I mean...when people apply test optional it's usually because their test scores are not too good. Was your DD a commended NMSF in North Dakota where the threshold is low?
If not, not sure why you would do this, so enlighten us, and maybe we can provide better advice.

The Commended threshold is national.
Anonymous
Post 10/09/2025 23:42     Subject: National Merit Commended and test optional
Anonymous wrote:I mean...when people apply test optional it's usually because their test scores are not too good. Was your DD a commended NMSF in North Dakota where the threshold is low?
If not, not sure why you would do this, so enlighten us, and maybe we can provide better advice.[/quote
The Commended threshold is national.
Anonymous
Post 10/09/2025 23:41     Subject: National Merit Commended and test optional
I mean...when people apply test optional it's usually because their test scores are not too good. Was your DD a commended NMSF in North Dakota where the threshold is low?
If not, not sure why you would do this, so enlighten us, and maybe we can provide better advice.
Anonymous
Post 10/09/2025 23:32     Subject: National Merit Commended and test optional
DD has a decent but not amazing SAT score. She received National Merit Commended.
My question is, would it look odd to apply test optional and then put National Merit Commended on the application as an award?