I've never posted before and likely will not again. My kid is on "the list."

I reiterate what this post states because the purpose and criteria for this award appear to be misunderstood from what I am reading. So,

1. Coming in Spring, the honor comes too late to influence college admissions (applications are due Jan. 1 or earlier). Nor is it intended for such purpose and shouldn't be viewed through that lens.
2. The committee does not consider super scores - which for those unfamiliar with the lingo is where kids pick and choose section scores from different test dates then combine the cherry-picked section scores to achieve their "best" overall score (some colleges will not accept super scores either).
3. Often, the nominees have made substantial contributions to society and/or engaged in significant creative undertakings (our child had highest scores and made material social contributions through high school).

I cringe to think everything is considered from the perspective of admissions to Ivies or the like. We are proud of our son for doing so well in high school and for focusing on learning as a goal - or actually, making it a core value of their's.

Also, don't be surprised by U Chicago rejecting applicants because it's not an Ivy. This year, it accepted 5% of applicants from a pool of 37,000 - that is below several Ivies. A far smaller percentage is admitted regular decision (RD). Chicago is exceptionally selective and difficult with respect to admissions. Indeed, one of the very hardest in the US, regardless of being in the Midwest. UC's reputation is also for reading the entire application carefully - instead of just focusing on scores. Admitted students are known to be quirky, exceptionally intelligent and curious, and familiar with what UC uniquely offers them.

Finally, remember, it's just one accolade in a long life to come. And a very early one at a point where frontal lobes have much more development to accomplish. I wouldn't ever focus on it. If it happens, how nice.

Anonymous wrote:Do colleges care about this and do they check the list if they do?

We found out DC made the list but they'd already submitted all applications so no mention on any of them...

Mine was a nominee so no bias but colleges doesn't care about it, nor does it gets you any money unlike national merit scholarship which pays well.

Have a junior in magnet school. Sorry have not gone through all messages. What are the requirements for the school to nominate the student?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the requirement a 36 overall or 36/36/36/36 for ACT?
1600 for SAT?

No, my kid qualified (class of 21) with 35, 36, 35, 35.

My kid had 35/35/35/36 last year and did not qualify in Va

Actually, GPA matters too. My nearly perfect GPA kid with lower sat made it. My almost perfect sat kid with lower GPA did not make it. Because it is a recommendation by the school

Interesting. 4.0 UW, 4.8 (15 APs) but I guess that the school did not nominate.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know last year, My DC school have around 20 senior who make perfect score for SAT or ACT, but their names are not all on 2020 presidential scholar list as I googled 2020 list

A 1600 would get you on the list everywhere. A 36 may or may not. Some states require a 36/36/36/36 (CA/TX/?).

So stumped. DC showed me a classmate's mom posting screenshot of 1600 SAT, but kid not on 2022 PS list (I just looked it up). How does that happen? Also see a kid on list who is NMSF and rejected @ Chicago. Doesn't make sense (to me).

Is the kid a current senior? That's who is included.

I saw a junior from my kids’ mcps high school on the list (he went to elem school with my older dc so I know his grade).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do colleges care about this and do they check the list if they do?

We found out DC made the list but they'd already submitted all applications so no mention on any of them...

Congratulations! But completely useless. If she is the final winner, it might have some beef if she is waitlisted. But it is as useless as National Honors Society when it comes to college app.

Is national merit semifinalist useful?

Yes, in part because students can include it on their college applications. There are also scholarships available.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the requirement a 36 overall or 36/36/36/36 for ACT?
1600 for SAT?

No, my kid qualified (class of 21) with 35, 36, 35, 35.

My kid had 35/35/35/36 last year and did not qualify in Va

Actually, GPA matters too. My nearly perfect GPA kid with lower sat made it. My almost perfect sat kid with lower GPA did not make it. Because it is a recommendation by the school

There are three categories of nominees.

In the General category, those meeting the "universal score" for their state are automatically included, regardless of GPA, as I understand it. Then there are some additional nominees: "In addition, each Chief State School Officer (CSSO) may nominate ten male and ten female candidates based on their outstanding scholarship, residing in the CSSO's jurisdiction. ¶ Additionally, the program is partnering with several recognition organizations that will each nominate up to 40 candidates from their individual programs."

There is also an Arts component (which students submit themselves for) and a Career and Technical Educational component (through which students are "nominated through their Chief State School Officer").

https://www2.ed.gov/programs/psp/select.html

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do colleges care about this and do they check the list if they do?

We found out DC made the list but they'd already submitted all applications so no mention on any of them...

Congratulations! But completely useless. If she is the final winner, it might have some beef if she is waitlisted. But it is as useless as National Honors Society when it comes to college app.

Is national merit semifinalist useful?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the requirement a 36 overall or 36/36/36/36 for ACT?
1600 for SAT?

No, my kid qualified (class of 21) with 35, 36, 35, 35.

My kid had 35/35/35/36 last year and did not qualify in Va

Actually, GPA matters too. My nearly perfect GPA kid with lower sat made it. My almost perfect sat kid with lower GPA did not make it. Because it is a recommendation by the school

Anonymous wrote:New to this and admittedly haven't read al 6 pages.

Could someone give me the basics about what a Presidential Scholar is and how you apply (if you do) and what the criteria are.

My DC is a Senior, in the midst of a rough application season with only rejections so far, and they have an A- level GPA a small catholic private and a 1550 SAT. We are in MD but their school is in DC.

Yes, I should probably know this already, but I don't and I'm looking for something to show my kid that their accomplishments are noticed somewhere.

They would already know if they were being considered.

GL to your DC!