how important is national merit semifinalist status?

onlyiknow · 11-10-2008, 05:46 PM

I've always thought that becoming a national merit semifinalist was something of a big deal, especially becuz my high school likes to publicize its NMSF students. But how much does it really help in gaining admission to top colleges like cornell? It's not like semifinalists send their psat score or whatever to verify their status...cornell is just blindly taking for truth whoever says that he/she is a semifinalist. so, realistically, couldn't anyone lie and just say that he/she is a NMSF...?

faustarp · 11-10-2008, 06:05 PM

if you lied and then got found out, you obviously would be rejected.
I don't know what it does for you really, but it's a nice honor!

cornellhopeful13 · 11-10-2008, 06:08 PM

Pretty sure the PSAT score is on the transcript... Mine is at least.

faustarp · 11-10-2008, 06:10 PM

hmmm that's a good point. I don't remember if mine was.

also, make sure you do your best with your semifinalist application thing! it's not out of the realm of possibility that you get one of the scholarships, and Cornell obvious takes THOSE!

chanfest22 · 11-10-2008, 06:38 PM

College Board publishes the list of National Merit Semifinalists. That would be a really dumb thing to lie about.

onlyiknow · 11-10-2008, 07:55 PM

oh bummer...my school's transcript doesn't list my psat score

faustarp · 11-10-2008, 10:49 PM

I still don't think it's a bummer! assuming chanfest knows what he or she is talking about, you can just put that you were semifinalist and you'll be all set. I'm inclined to say my school didn't list PSAT scores either, and I def. told Cornell I was a semifinalist, since I was, after all!

ResurgamBell · 11-11-2008, 12:04 AM

i think being a merit scholar on the PSAT is really only good for those schools that offer merit scholarships...

i know in texas some of the state schools gave you a certain amount of money for being one (i guess to entice people to stay in-state?)

cornell does not itself give out merit scholarships...it would be a plus on your application though...but SATs would weigh in more and your grades and ECs as well...

bluebayou · 11-11-2008, 02:09 AM

it's a big deal for schools that track 'em (USC, for example), but for the Ivies NMF are a dime a dozen. A 2300+ SAT is much more valuable than a psat score.

Hindustan · 10-14-2009, 09:45 PM

Any input on the actual importance in general terms? I think I'm going to score a 210-215 which probably isn't good enough in Texas...

Hindustan · 10-14-2009, 11:02 PM

Very anxious to know...

hilariousimlolin · 10-15-2009, 02:08 PM

to higher tier colleges national merit semifinalist status isn't special at all.. most applicants are most likely semifinalists.

it comes in handy only if you're applying to a college that offers scholarships for merit students, IMO.

faustarp · 10-15-2009, 11:56 PM

most applicants is definitely an exaggeration!

(hey since last year I started spelling the that whole word...)

it's not special, it's not a big deal, but it is a nice honor. PLEASE don't be very anxious about it!

btw, to correct a possible misstatement the last time this topic existed: you still get a couple thousand dollars for one year if you win, even at Cornell. not huge, but every little bit helps!