National Merit Commended-putting it on applications?

[Anonymous]

I know this was a huge subject on the Virginia public school and FCPS forums last year, and a lot of people calling the "commended" a "participation trophy"- but is your student putting the commended status on college applications?

My kid doesn't have a lot of other awards. His score is 214 and he goes to a Prince William county public school. FWIW, the entire county (13 public high schools) only had TWO NM Semi Finalists last year--so it's nothing like TJ or other high performing FCPS high schools.) He is applying to mostly out of state schools where the cut off is much lower than Virginias--in some of those states his 214 would have been high enough to be a semi finalist.

[Anonymous]

I’d say, look at the honors section, rank student’s awards, and list the best ones. If National Merit Commended makes the cut, absolutely include it. I certainly wouldn’t hide it or leave a blank space. And it definitely beats out science honor society or whatever.

[Anonymous]

Of course you should list it. No downside.

[Anonymous]

It is more than a participation trophy. It is top 3% score nationally in a single sitting. Whether it makes a difference depends on where your son is applying, but there is no reason not to put it and it is not fluff. It is one more piece of good data on your son.

[Anonymous]

My private school kid and friends have zero other awards. Their school does not give any awards or honor societies.

Those who are National Merit Commended student will definitely list it.

[Anonymous]

The stupidest part about the kerfluffle last year was that the cut off was public and the kids knew what their scores were.

[Anonymous]

Sure

[Anonymous]

Definitely. Technically I believe it is a national award. Ironically NMSF is a state level award.

[Anonymous]

Since when was scoring 95th percentile + in the country a participation award?

[Anonymous]

OP here
Thank you! Is the correct term "commended student" or "commended scholar?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since when was scoring 95th percentile + in the country a participation award?

OP here
I agree! But that was the term used by a lot of people, here on DCUM and other comment sections.

[Anonymous]

NP here, hoping I might ask a related question.
Back in the spring, my son’s principal called to say that he would be receiving an award related to his PSAT “achievement”. She said the award would be announced in the fall, but she wanted to let me know he had achieved this. My son came home and said he and 2 other kids had been told they were NM semi finalists. I don’t think the principal used that term, and based on his pSAT score I would be surprised. I think it was 1470? Anyway, if he were a NMSF, wouldn’t he receive something official? Is that something he should know by now for sure? He is filling out the Common App, and I told him he can’t put anything about that now. He plans to start submitting applications soon.
Appreciate any wisdom. Also, this is a public MCPS school, but not a W school or one known for having NM scholars. His principal is also new, so I think this may be a bit unfamiliar for her as well.
Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here, hoping I might ask a related question.
Back in the spring, my son’s principal called to say that he would be receiving an award related to his PSAT “achievement”. She said the award would be announced in the fall, but she wanted to let me know he had achieved this. My son came home and said he and 2 other kids had been told they were NM semi finalists. I don’t think the principal used that term, and based on his pSAT score I would be surprised. I think it was 1470? Anyway, if he were a NMSF, wouldn’t he receive something official? Is that something he should know by now for sure? He is filling out the Common App, and I told him he can’t put anything about that now. He plans to start submitting applications soon.
Appreciate any wisdom. Also, this is a public MCPS school, but not a W school or one known for having NM scholars. His principal is also new, so I think this may be a bit unfamiliar for her as well.
Thanks.

NMSF official announcements to schools are at the end of Aug. In spring, schools received a list of names that was a bunch of different awards combined (College Board Recognition Programs, NMSF, and maybe commended, not sure).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here, hoping I might ask a related question.
Back in the spring, my son’s principal called to say that he would be receiving an award related to his PSAT “achievement”. She said the award would be announced in the fall, but she wanted to let me know he had achieved this. My son came home and said he and 2 other kids had been told they were NM semi finalists. I don’t think the principal used that term, and based on his pSAT score I would be surprised. I think it was 1470? Anyway, if he were a NMSF, wouldn’t he receive something official? Is that something he should know by now for sure? He is filling out the Common App, and I told him he can’t put anything about that now. He plans to start submitting applications soon.
Appreciate any wisdom. Also, this is a public MCPS school, but not a W school or one known for having NM scholars. His principal is also new, so I think this may be a bit unfamiliar for her as well.
Thanks.

That definitely sounds like it could be a qualifying score for semi finalist.
There's a formula used, the verbal part of the PSAT counts more than the math (because there are two sections) I believe it states the number right on the student's college board account, where the PSAT score is. Last year's qualifying cutoff score was 222 for Maryland-it will probably be the same (+ or - a point) this year, but won't be officially announced till next month.

"Commended" is anything about 207. That is the nation wide cutoff sore. The "semi finalist" score varies by state; so Maryland is one of the higher cutoffs, but some states (West Virginia, Montana, Wyoming) have a cutoff score of 207.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here, hoping I might ask a related question.
Back in the spring, my son’s principal called to say that he would be receiving an award related to his PSAT “achievement”. She said the award would be announced in the fall, but she wanted to let me know he had achieved this. My son came home and said he and 2 other kids had been told they were NM semi finalists. I don’t think the principal used that term, and based on his pSAT score I would be surprised. I think it was 1470? Anyway, if he were a NMSF, wouldn’t he receive something official? Is that something he should know by now for sure? He is filling out the Common App, and I told him he can’t put anything about that now. He plans to start submitting applications soon.
Appreciate any wisdom. Also, this is a public MCPS school, but not a W school or one known for having NM scholars. His principal is also new, so I think this may be a bit unfamiliar for her as well.
Thanks.

That definitely sounds like it could be a qualifying score for semi finalist.
There's a formula used, the verbal part of the PSAT counts more than the math (because there are two sections) I believe it states the number right on the student's college board account, where the PSAT score is. Last year's qualifying cutoff score was 222 for Maryland-it will probably be the same (+ or - a point) this year, but won't be officially announced till next month.

"Commended" is anything about 207. That is the nation wide cutoff sore. The "semi finalist" score varies by state; so Maryland is one of the higher cutoffs, but some states (West Virginia, Montana, Wyoming) have a cutoff score of 207.

Sorry, that should say anything ABOVE 207, not "about"