Anonymous
Post 10/25/2024 11:36     Subject: PSAT Results - Compare
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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).


Because you have to be in the top 1% of the state. A 1500 in those states is usually top 3% in the states.
Anonymous
Post 10/25/2024 11:34     Subject: PSAT Results - Compare
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.


🙄
Anonymous
Post 10/25/2024 11:32     Subject: PSAT Results - Compare
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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).


Well, my kid prepped after the PSAT (we were not knowledgeable about NMSF). She then got a 1520.
Anonymous
Post 10/25/2024 11:31     Subject: PSAT Results - Compare
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Does being awarded National Merit Semi-Finalist make any difference on the college application?


Only AOs know the answer to this question. But, for the kid who doesn't have any major awards, it sure is a nice one to have there at the top of the Honors list.


The nmsf so well at our school, but it could be because they are also very high achieving and producing across multiple domains.
Anonymous
Post 10/25/2024 11:29     Subject: PSAT Results - Compare
Anonymous wrote:
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).
Anonymous
Post 10/25/2024 11:25     Subject: PSAT Results - Compare
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.
Anonymous
Post 10/25/2024 11:20     Subject: PSAT Results - Compare
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My kid has 1500 with a 224 index. Same for one of the 15 or so friends in their chat. Given their school had only 6 NMSF last class I wonder if the cutoff this year will be above 224 - this is VA. Just because if it is 6-7 NMSF again and I know 2 of them that’s highly unlikely. They are a very motivated bunch, but still.


I was thinking the same for NJ- the cutoff will be higher this year? How accurate is Compass Prep cutoff prediction?

https://www.compassprep.com/national-merit-semifinalist-cutoffs/comment-page-14/

DP. This is the most accurate prediction available.

I don't recall ever seeing a cutoff above 224.


That's true but I don't get it. How do they predict a cutoff already? Yesterdays score release was for the PSATs taken in the first two weeks of October. There are two more score release dates next months.


The trend is your friend
Anonymous
Post 10/25/2024 11:19     Subject: PSAT Results - Compare
thanks. yeah my kid has no awards so hopefully NMS shows up positively on his application!
Anonymous
Post 10/25/2024 11:19     Subject: PSAT Results - Compare
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My kid has 1500 with a 224 index. Same for one of the 15 or so friends in their chat. Given their school had only 6 NMSF last class I wonder if the cutoff this year will be above 224 - this is VA. Just because if it is 6-7 NMSF again and I know 2 of them that’s highly unlikely. They are a very motivated bunch, but still.


I was thinking the same for NJ- the cutoff will be higher this year? How accurate is Compass Prep cutoff prediction?

https://www.compassprep.com/national-merit-semifinalist-cutoffs/comment-page-14/

DP. This is the most accurate prediction available.

I don't recall ever seeing a cutoff above 224.


That's true but I don't get it. How do they predict a cutoff already? Yesterdays score release was for the PSATs taken in the first two weeks of October. There are two more score release dates next months.
Anonymous
Post 10/25/2024 11:14     Subject: PSAT Results - Compare
Anonymous wrote:Does being awarded National Merit Semi-Finalist make any difference on the college application?


Only AOs know the answer to this question. But, for the kid who doesn't have any major awards, it sure is a nice one to have there at the top of the Honors list.
Anonymous
Post 10/25/2024 11:12     Subject: PSAT Results - Compare
Anonymous wrote:My kid has 1500 with a 224 index. Same for one of the 15 or so friends in their chat. Given their school had only 6 NMSF last class I wonder if the cutoff this year will be above 224 - this is VA. Just because if it is 6-7 NMSF again and I know 2 of them that’s highly unlikely. They are a very motivated bunch, but still.


I am thinking the same. The scores seem to be super high this year! I would not be surprised if some states go to 224 to weed out kids.
Anonymous
Post 10/25/2024 11:09     Subject: Re:PSAT Results - Compare
does being just commended help at all?
Anonymous
Post 10/25/2024 11:07     Subject: PSAT Results - Compare
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.
Anonymous
Post 10/25/2024 10:47     Subject: PSAT Results - Compare
Does being awarded National Merit Semi-Finalist make any difference on the college application?

Anonymous
Post 10/25/2024 10:44     Subject: PSAT Results - Compare
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What weirdo family preps their kid for the 10th grade PSAT? Who even has time for that? That is the prep, lol. Have them get a job instead. No wonder there is so much anxiety problems with kids now.

No one should have their kid prep before a 10th grade PSAT. However, plenty do take it in 10th for an indication of where they stand.


10th and 11th grade PSAT both count for the national recognition programs. So if your kid is eligible for one of those, they should prep for the 10th grade PSAT.


Not if you want them to maintain their sanity and also do extracurricular activities and nurture friendships. Believe me, I’m as type-A as they come…but some of you are nuts.