PSAT scores question

[luvflorida]

DD16 is a Junior in high school, and she brought home her PSAT scores today. Does anyone know the approximate selection index score, (sum of critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills scores), that a student needs to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, (NMSC), Programs?

It's posssible that it hasn't even been set for this year, because the only information I can find says something about notifying qualifying students in the Fall of 2007.

Is there anyone here who knows from previous years what the selection index score needs to be?

BTW, DD scored really high on critical reading and on writing skills, (which didn't surprise me), but she didn't score nearly as high on mathematics. That didn't surprise me either. Math is not her strength. The three test scores are added together, so her math score pulled down her selection index score.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Aha...just went to the information meeting last night.

Basically it will vary state to state and year to year. So you will need to use the number on the PSAT sheet (at the bottom, it says your code) and navigate the site listed on the score sheet...
www.collegeboard.com/psatextra

The speaker said our range was 203-217 to qualify for Texas. Now it can change so you need to keep tabs on the collegeboard site.
I haven't dug in yet so good luck!

 

[luvflorida]

Basically it will vary state to state and year to year. So you will need to use the number on the PSAT sheet (at the bottom, it says your code) and navigate the site listed on the score sheet...
www.collegeboard.com/psatextra

I've already been to the website, but nothing is posted yet for our school district. There is a space to enter an e-mail address, and they say they'll notify us when the information is available. The access code on daughter's score sheet is useless right now.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Maybe you can dig here and find it...

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/forumdisplay.php?f=9

 

[The Mystery Machine]

This thread has unofficial numbers...

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=74297&page=45

 

[allison443]

The cut off score for National Merit varies from state to state; for example, New Jersey and Massachusetts are among the highest. Two years ago my daughter received a Letter of Commendation, which is a step below semifinalist. However, a kid in a different state with her same selection index would be a semifinalist.
Also, while it is a nice honor for the students, even if you are a semifinalist, most kids can receive money only if they attend certain colleges or from certain companies, e.g. if a parent works at that company. I think the sponsoring organizations and colleges are listed on the NMSC website. And very rarely is it a full scholarship. Lots of semifinalists wind up getting no money out of the program at all.

I am going to suggest a message board that is not as much fun as the disboards...it is collegeconfidential.com They have forums on all kinds of topics relating to college. Be warned, the posters over there can be very intense, a lot of them are only interested in Ivy League schools, etc.
There is a message board related to SAT testing and I guarantee people are already posting their PSAT scores. That board can be helpful as you go through the college application process. Also, in past years, some of the posters there provided the National Merit cut offs, state by state.

Good luck to your daughter!

 

[allison443]

Sorry, I didn't realize that someone else was already posting about collegeconfidential..

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Hey no prob!

I just realized the numbers that the speaker gave us last night meant that 203 is the number to hit for "commended" and then you have your Semi-Finalist number which will vary state to state.
Texas being 217.

 

[luvflorida]

Thanks for the links! And you are right, it's pretty intense over there!

I think I found my answer, and it's close, but my daughter doesn't qualify.

We're certainly not looking at any Ivy League colleges, and I don't think I'll go back to that site. Wow!

 

[Hedy]

Thanks for the links! And you are right, it's pretty intense over there!

I think I found my answer, and it's close, but my daughter doesn't qualify.

We're certainly not looking at any Ivy League colleges, and I don't think I'll go back to that site. Wow!

90% of the folks on college confidental are so full of it, they squeak at a turn. Just sayin'.
Take it with ye aulde grain of salt.
And congrats to DD for finishing and doing well!

 

[luvflorida]

90% of the folks on college confidental are so full of it, they squeak at a turn. Just sayin'.
Take it with ye aulde grain of salt.
And congrats to DD for finishing and doing well!

Thanks! It only took me a few minutes to feel very inferior over there!

 

[xCourxCorex]

I don't even bother looking at those NMSQT things. All the kids' dream schools are Harvard and Yale and Georgetown. I just want to get into a decent school, not #1 in the country! I'm happy with myself for my 1st time taking any timed standardized test and doing fairly well. Average score is around 147 I believe, and I got a 170, so I'm happy. Congrats to your DD!

 

[tar heel]

It is sorta true that the scholarships are rarely full b/c the kids usually don't choose to go to the schools that are offering full rides. My son was offered a number of full scholarships when he was a National Merit Finalist -- the most prestigious school making that offer was University of Florida, and his most unusual offer was hand-delivered. The problem was that he wasn't interested in any of the schools. Ironically, his little brother is attending a school that offered him a free ride and a computer.

My son ended up going to his first choice school, which awarded him a whopping $1,000 a year university-sponsored National Merit Scholarship.

 

[Saxsoon]

I got a 194 (1940) but I guess in Texas that doesn't mean much.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Thanks for the links! And you are right, it's pretty intense over there!

I think I found my answer, and it's close, but my daughter doesn't qualify.

We're certainly not looking at any Ivy League colleges, and I don't think I'll go back to that site. Wow!

Yes...it is not for the weak. However if you do get into a jam there are some good people there who can help you.

 

[Barb D]

My DS hasn't even GOTTEN his scores yet...and I'm afraid! Very afraid to go over to that site!