Anonymous
Post 09/07/2022 13:00     Subject: National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
DS just met with his FCPS guidance counselor 1 on 1. She claims to still not know the students that qualified as semi finalist. Either she's pulling his leg or the info is "sitting on the principals desk".
Anonymous
Post 09/07/2022 12:12     Subject: Re:National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:MD confirmed as 222
So far highest state cut off. What does that mean for DC?


DC is lumped with VA. It is what MD is.


I meant lumped with MD!! This is per our counselor.


Your counselor is wrong and doesn't understand how it works. The DC cutoff is whatever the highest cutoff is in the nation. According to Compass, this year the highest cutoff is NJ at 223, so that's the cutoff for DC too.

I think the confusion/problem stems from the fact that for a very long time back then MD used to have the highest cutoff (sometimes with NJ or MA). Since DC cutoff is whatever the highest cutoff is, many thought and probably still believe that DC was "lumped" with MD.
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2022 20:56     Subject: National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:DD got 226 in MD and haven’t heard anything


Don't worry! You're good. Those who know are probably homeschooled or somehow in with the principal. Only principals are informed initially. Last year they made an announcement around mid Sept.


You are wrong on both counts. Students at my school were simply informed by their guidance counselor last week. Done this way every year.
Obviously a 226 would count as the MD cutoff is 222, but skeptical of the 226 score


DS has a 227 in MD and still hasn't heard anything. I want him to submit some rolling admissions applications and he wants to wait for official notification - it's silly. What's the point of making scores up? It's frustrating every year, PSAT scores take longer then SAT/ACT scores, then an 9 month wait for official semi-finalist announcement (with a slow trickle state by state) and then another long wait for NMF when 15K out of 16K make it.


If he submits now, he can send an update to his application with the designation. Updates might be a good way to signal that he is keen/committed and keep him on AO's radar.

Or, he can ask his guidance counselor or principal if they would confirm.


HUH? PSATs are taken in junior year. He is applying to college Fall of Jr year?


PP here. No. NMSF comes out SENIOR year. So, he could update his app with NMSF honor.
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2022 20:48     Subject: National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
Congrats to all those Class of 2023 students in the DC/MD/VA area that made/will make NMSF when it finally becomes official. With cutoffs of 221-223 around here, any students who made it should be proud. CONGRATS! And also congrats to the commended students who made 207 or higher, which I understand will be made official even later this month.
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2022 17:35     Subject: National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
Anonymous wrote:VA is 221. MD 222. DC 223.
https://www.compassprep.com/national-merit-semifinalist-cutoffs/


DC > MD > VA
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2022 17:02     Subject: National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
Even if scores are high enough to make the cut in all 50 states, technically you can't claim it until its offical.
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2022 15:56     Subject: Re:National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Do the kids need to wait to hear from their school/counselor before they can include it in their common app? My DC's score is well over the cutoff, so safe to say that he made the list.


Official press release scheduled 9/14. Unless you get a letter or GC notification in advance, it's probably best to wait. NMSF per dcurbanmom.com or Compass education probably isn't smart.


Thank you, makes sense.
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2022 15:52     Subject: Re:National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
Anonymous wrote:Do the kids need to wait to hear from their school/counselor before they can include it in their common app? My DC's score is well over the cutoff, so safe to say that he made the list.


Official press release scheduled 9/14. Unless you get a letter or GC notification in advance, it's probably best to wait. NMSF per dcurbanmom.com or Compass education probably isn't smart.
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2022 15:38     Subject: Re:National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
Do the kids need to wait to hear from their school/counselor before they can include it in their common app? My DC's score is well over the cutoff, so safe to say that he made the list.
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2022 14:29     Subject: National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
VA is 221. MD 222. DC 223.
https://www.compassprep.com/national-merit-semifinalist-cutoffs/
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2022 14:14     Subject: Re:National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:MD confirmed as 222
So far highest state cut off. What does that mean for DC?


DC is lumped with VA. It is what MD is.


I meant lumped with MD!! This is per our counselor.


DC "used" to have its own cutoff score. Usually around MD or 1pt higher than MD. Is that changed?


DC and international lumped with highest which this year is reported as NJ at 223.
https://www.compassprep.com/national-merit-semifinalist-cutoffs/


Yes, you are right. Thanks for refreshing my memory. I knew PP's counselor was wrong but couldn't remember how DC's cutoff was determined.
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2022 14:12     Subject: Re:National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:MD confirmed as 222
So far highest state cut off. What does that mean for DC?


DC is lumped with VA. It is what MD is.


I meant lumped with MD!! This is per our counselor.


DC "used" to have its own cutoff score. Usually around MD or 1pt higher than MD. Is that changed?


DC and international lumped with highest which this year is reported as NJ at 223.
https://www.compassprep.com/national-merit-semifinalist-cutoffs/
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2022 14:06     Subject: Re:National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:MD confirmed as 222
So far highest state cut off. What does that mean for DC?


DC is lumped with VA. It is what MD is.


I meant lumped with MD!! This is per our counselor.


DC "used" to have its own cutoff score. Usually around MD or 1pt higher than MD. Is that changed?
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2022 14:06     Subject: Re:National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:MD confirmed as 222
So far highest state cut off. What does that mean for DC?


DC is lumped with VA. It is what MD is.


I meant lumped with MD!! This is per our counselor.


Your counselor is wrong and doesn't understand how it works. The DC cutoff is whatever the highest cutoff is in the nation. According to Compass, this year the highest cutoff is NJ at 223, so that's the cutoff for DC too.
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2022 14:05     Subject: Re:National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
Anonymous wrote:I’m super interested as soon has 221 in va. We are def looking at university of Alabama full ride package if he makes the cut. Still no word?


According to art at compass prep fb comments, VA is 221. 🎉