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Old 11-11-2012, 10:10 AM   #1
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Don't want to take sat

My son was chosen nmsf with a 230 psat score. He has only taken the act and he is applying mainly to ivy schools that don't offer merit. He is thinking of expanding his choices to include some schools that offer merit for nmf. But if he takes the Dec sat would he have to send those scores to all his other schools. He has a very busy semester and doesn't want to take time out to study for it. But I think the sat deadline is Dec 1. Any ideas
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Old 11-11-2012, 12:39 PM   #2
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He should just show up to take the SAT without studying like I did.

My score was high enough, and I'm someone who scored a 215 on the PSAT.
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Old 11-11-2012, 12:45 PM   #3
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Check each Ivy website. Just checked Yale and it says all ACT or all SAT. I think that you would not have to send SAT if you send all ACT. My D did a quick review, but did not study for her first SAT, and got a score right in line with her PSAT. If he got 230 on PSAT, he will likely get well over 2000 to qualify for NMF, with just some review time.
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Old 11-11-2012, 08:37 PM   #4
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The test itself is on Dec. 1. Late registration deadline is this Friday, Nov. 16.

U.S. Registration Dates

Remember that walk-in registrations are no longer permitted.

If he wants to have a chance to be a National Merit Scholar he will have to take the SAT. There is no getting around it. I would strongly anticipate he will easily obtain a qualifying score given his PSAT result, so he should anticipate doing no more preparation than he did for the PSAT and could probably do much less. I would suggest he search this and other sites for guidance about the essay as that would be the only part of the SAT that would be new to him.
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Old 11-11-2012, 08:53 PM   #5
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You can choose to send the scores anywhere or nowhere. You can even wait until you get the score back to decide.
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Old 11-11-2012, 10:27 PM   #6
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Deadline to sign up for the Dec SAT is a few days away.

SIGN UP.

Someone who got a 230 on the PSAT probably does NOT have to "study" for the SAT. He shouldn't worry about his result...just take the test.

AND...send a free score to NMCorp.....code 0085 Must do that!
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Old 11-12-2012, 09:42 AM   #7
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Thank you for reminding me about the deadline. He is a bit of a perfectionist. He feels confident that he would probably score above 2000 without studying, but he would take the time studying hoping for a 2300. But I thought that all ivy uni's require all testing to be sent to the school's ? Also would taking the sat help out with outside awards (financial help) ?
thanks in advance!
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Old 11-12-2012, 09:52 AM   #8
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Harvard website says you can use score choice. Check each website for the schools he is applying to. It spells out which scores are required.
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Old 11-12-2012, 09:59 AM   #9
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How did he do on the ACT? If he did really well why bother with the SAT at all? Many students get into great schools, including HYP, with ACT only.
SAT scores edge down; ACT now more popular exam - News - Boston.com
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Old 11-12-2012, 10:10 AM   #10
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Houstonmom...OP said the son is thinking of expanding choices to schools that offer NMF scholarships. To be a NMF, the student has to take the SAT.
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Old 11-12-2012, 10:18 AM   #11
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Penn requires applicants to submit their entire testing history. Well, i have to tell you it is about time that colleges dont require all testing history between the college board and act. org- it gets really expensive sending out test score. I did check on the yale, duke, and princeton website- yes- musicmerit you are correct. two years ago, my elder son took several test and we had to send it out to all the schools.
so, if a university doesn't offer any merit aid for NMF- does the NMF offer any money as an outside award?
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Old 11-12-2012, 10:24 AM   #12
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Yes. The NMC offers $2500 per year. I don't know how to link but it is on their website.
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Old 11-12-2012, 10:30 AM   #13
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Oops, looks like the $2500 is one time payment not each year.
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Old 11-12-2012, 10:37 AM   #14
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Thanks all of you- so very helpful!!! it is definitely worth taking the sat for a chance for 2500
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Old 11-12-2012, 10:49 AM   #15
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There is no reason really not to take the SAT. I highly doubt that someone who scored a 230 on the PSAT and scored highly on the ACT is going to just score a 2000 on the SAT. Your son is obviously a very strong test-taker. Even without studying, he'll probably get at least a 2200. And, with a very little bit of studying (just doing some questions in each section of a practice book), he'll get the hang of the test and could surpass his PSAT score.

Getting NMF is a big deal. it makes a difference even once in college. My son's first internship immediately raised his starting salary by $3 an hour once they learned he was a NMF. Even his grad schools made notice of it.
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