Sounds like it's an honor to be selected as a National Merit Scholar but not much direct money as a result? (Schools may decide to shell out a bunch of cash to get a NMS, but that's indirect and not guaranteed).

My son didn't take any test prep and is a semi-finalist. He's pretty smart and a good test taker. Feel pretty good about his chances to become a finalist (his SAT was very good and he completed the application - so I think that gets him most of the way from semi-finalist to finalist). I highly doubt he'll be selected as a scholar.

Anonymous wrote:My middle child was a NMS (still is, or only in the year you got it?). It did nothing because they didn't want the full rides offered by schools in the south, and the school they go to does not participate (and they were shut out of many top tier schools even with excellent GPA, ECs, etc). We told DC #3, a current HS Jr, the PSAT meant nothing and I didn't give a hoot what they got on it and they shouldn't either.

You can put it on college applicatons/resume.
It only helps.

My middle child was a NMS (still is, or only in the year you got it?). It did nothing because they didn't want the full rides offered by schools in the south, and the school they go to does not participate (and they were shut out of many top tier schools even with excellent GPA, ECs, etc). We told DC #3, a current HS Jr, the PSAT meant nothing and I didn't give a hoot what they got on it and they shouldn't either.

My daughter was a NMS receiving the $2500 direct from NM, but she never had any test prep or tutoring. Definitely smart and a hard worker, but also a strong test taker and lucky. She didn’t receive any full rides but it could have been that she wasn’t applying to big state schools. By the time she won, she had already submitted apps and decided where she was going. The application to go from semi finalist to finalist was brief, just use the common app essay and get a counselor recommendation. The list of previous winners is incredible and I think they do some tracking and studies on the winners.
It is also a big honor to receive college and corporate awards, which are often higher in dollar value, but NMSC has first choice and winners can only accept one award. Colleges can elect to give more money but are not required to sponsor an NMS if they receive money direct from NMSC.

Anonymous wrote:I'm thinking probalby PSAT result is the most fair testing measure.
People had less time and chance to do paid test prepping and everyone took the exact same test at the same time.

Not Freud

I'm thinking probalby PSAT result is the most fair testing measure.
People had less time and chance to do paid test prepping and everyone took the exact same test at the same time.

3.2 million seniors graduated from US high schools last year so 2500 is what 0.1%?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Foundation only selects 2500 scholars, it’s an extremely selective process. Much easier to get sponsored by second tier colleges if parent’s employer is a sponsor.

What's the benefit of being selected as 2500 scholars?

Scholarship money and possibly admission to a highly competitive school. Universities like to brag about the number of NMS they enroll.

Are you sure about 2500 scholars? I thought about 1/2 of finalists become scholars. There are more than 5000 finalists.

National Merit Foundation only selects 2500 top finalists as their scholars.

hmmm... link please?

https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/images/gid2/editor_documents/21_merit2500scholar.pdf?gid=2&pgid=61

“(Evanston, Illinois) Today, National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®) announced this year’s National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners. The 2,500 Merit Scholar designees were chosen from a talent pool of some 16,000 outstanding Finalists in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program.
National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners are the Finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors.
These Scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who appraised a substantial amount of information submitted by both the Finalists and their high schools: the academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®); contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the Finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.”

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Foundation only selects 2500 scholars, it’s an extremely selective process. Much easier to get sponsored by second tier colleges if parent’s employer is a sponsor.

What's the benefit of being selected as 2500 scholars?

Scholarship money and possibly admission to a highly competitive school. Universities like to brag about the number of NMS they enroll.

Are you sure about 2500 scholars? I thought about 1/2 of finalists become scholars. There are more than 5000 finalists.

National Merit Foundation only selects 2500 top finalists as their scholars.

hmmm... link please?

Just quickly googled it.
Looks like there were 16000 FINALISTS.
Then they they pick another 2500 out of 16000, and give them $2500 scholarhip.

Anonymous wrote:I think making semifinalist is tough but moving in to finalist is an easy step. What’s toughest and rare is getting selected by the National Merit Foundation as a scholar.

Out of 16,000, roughly 15,000 make finalists. Ones who don’t get dropped are ones who scored high as a fluke but doesn’t have grades, character or extracurriculars required at such level. It gets highly competitive after that as only 2500 make the cut.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Foundation only selects 2500 scholars, it’s an extremely selective process. Much easier to get sponsored by second tier colleges if parent’s employer is a sponsor.

What's the benefit of being selected as 2500 scholars?

Scholarship money and possibly admission to a highly competitive school. Universities like to brag about the number of NMS they enroll.

Are you sure about 2500 scholars? I thought about 1/2 of finalists become scholars. There are more than 5000 finalists.

National Merit Foundation only selects 2500 top finalists as their scholars.

hmmm... link please?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Foundation only selects 2500 scholars, it’s an extremely selective process. Much easier to get sponsored by second tier colleges if parent’s employer is a sponsor.

What's the benefit of being selected as 2500 scholars?

Scholarship money and possibly admission to a highly competitive school. Universities like to brag about the number of NMS they enroll.

Are you sure about 2500 scholars? I thought about 1/2 of finalists become scholars. There are more than 5000 finalists.

National Merit Foundation only selects 2500 top finalists as their scholars.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Foundation only selects 2500 scholars, it’s an extremely selective process. Much easier to get sponsored by second tier colleges if parent’s employer is a sponsor.

What's the benefit of being selected as 2500 scholars?

It’s a rare honor and your scholar status is not dependent on finding a college or company to sponsor you. You don’t need an sponsor or attend a sponsoring college. Probably there is some small stipend as well. US Presidential Scholar is also equally selective honor but no money there either. Any student who makes it to these two has no worry about getting free rides, too many colleges willing pick up the tab for them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Foundation only selects 2500 scholars, it’s an extremely selective process. Much easier to get sponsored by second tier colleges if parent’s employer is a sponsor.

What's the benefit of being selected as 2500 scholars?

Scholarship money and possibly admission to a highly competitive school. Universities like to brag about the number of NMS they enroll.

Are you sure about 2500 scholars? I thought about 1/2 of finalists become scholars. There are more than 5000 finalists.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Foundation only selects 2500 scholars, it’s an extremely selective process. Much easier to get sponsored by second tier colleges if parent’s employer is a sponsor.

What's the benefit of being selected as 2500 scholars?

Scholarship money and possibly admission to a highly competitive school. Universities like to brag about the number of NMS they enroll.