<p>We had 10 less this year than last year! 22 last year and 12 this year!</p>
<p>If the commended cutoff is uniform for the entire country, then high cutoff states for NMSF (e.g., MA) must have a humungous percentage of commended students.</p>
<p>@GMTplus7, yes.</p>
<p>Apparently the principal is calling in all the kids who are named in the NMSC letter some time this week. I sent my son to school with instructions to count kids. He replied that there were football recruiters coming to practices this week. I don’t know - I just don’t feel like we are communicating.</p>
<p>So do you think every principal got a letter? </p>
<p>@Maxwellequations I do think every principal got the letter. Our principal gives the letter to the guidance counselor who handles all of the national merit counselor forms. She’s the one who met with the kids last week. </p>
<p>I got my info by emailing that counselor. </p>
<p>@Felicita, how did you email the counselor? did you just say you want to find out? </p>
<p>@herandhisMom </p>
<p>I just shared that:</p>
<p>“In April of 2014, NMSC will ask high school principals to identify any errors or changes in the reported eligibility of their high scorers (students whose scores qualify them for recognition).”</p>
<p>I asked if GC could check to verify that S was on the list due to the possible national merit considerations as he formulates his college list and works on apps this summer. </p>
<p>Thanks Felicita, very helpful! </p>
<p>Yes thank you @Felicita! </p>
<p>Here is the email I sent…</p>
<p>My name is Xxxx, Yyyy’s dad. It is my understanding that by now each high school principal has received a letter from the National Merit Corporation notifying them of the students eligible to achieve Commended or National Merit Semi-finalist status in September. Does Xxx (name of school) plan to notify students at this time that they are candidates?</p>
<p>I sent it yesterday. The counselor responded the same day and said she would inquire. Coincidently I think, the Principal called the kids together today to tell them. He will take them all to lunch. 31 kids. Highest ever I think. About 7.5% of the class.</p>
<p>I am sure it was a coincidence, Windsurferie! 31 kids and 7.5% of the class is astonishing. What sort of school is this? We are in a rural county school, and my oldest was the last NMF we had and that was 4 years ago. Planning/hoping that my youngest will be NMF this year. 300+ students in the class. </p>
<p>7.5% is huge. Commended and NMSF together are approximately 3.5% (50-55K) out of 1.5million or so PSAT test takers. Your school is doubling that number. But- do the math, 7.5% (31) is more like 400+ students or perhaps the percentage is more like 10%. Is it a magnet school or does it really emphasize the PSAT? I feel like there could be a lot more competition out there if guidance counselors emphasized the PSAT. Our 10th graders take the PSAT but the follow up to convince them to prep for it for 11th grade just isn’t a priority. This is crazy because the kids are really just front loading prepping for the SAT/ACT when they prep for the PSAT.</p>
<p>I spoke to our principal last night who indicated he had the list and would be coordinating with neighboring school to release list of names. He noted that there were over 50 names on the list in a class of aprox 750 up from about 30 last year. </p>
<p>Assume that @Windsurferie is in a school similar to ours, state with high cut off so there are lots of kids that make commended that do not move on. </p>
<p>Our school is a suburban public school in Ohio of about 1600 kids, 400+ per class. In general if the national average is 3-4% commended or above, there must be schools with higher percentages in the overall distribution. I would imagine states with higher cutoff than Ohio have many schools with higher percentages as commended than our school. The big equalizer is the state cutoffs. I think our public school is definitely in the upper tier in Ohio as a public school overall, but the school 2 towns over had more than we did 2 years ago when we were at 25. Last year was 18. Our school is really increasing AP courses and participation each year. All 10th graders take the PSAT. I am sure this helps</p>
<p>Wow, I never really thought about the stats, but with a class size of roughly 300, we typically have 1% or less at the commendation level. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that my son is the only one this year, though there are a few kids I’m not yet sure about. The two most likely contenders, other than my son, only brought back scores in the 180’s. </p>
<p>You know, part of the problem with our low numbers, I think, is that very few kids even TAKE the PSAT either freshman or sophomore year. Our state schools ask for ACT scores only and so practicing for the SAT seems pointless to many.</p>
<p>There are supposed to be 53 commended in my D’s 2015 magnet HS class, out of 180. So 29%. I suspect 25-30 will end up being NMSF, as our state cutoff is comparatively low.</p>