<p>jhupost…The only way to qualify as a NMSF (semi-finalist) is to score above your individual state’s cutoff score on the PSAT in your junior year of high school. Here is a link to the list of cutoff scores from 2011. They don’t tend to vary much from year to year, so if you’re at least 4-5 points above last year’s cutoff you should be fine.</p>
<p>[National</a> Merit Scholarships](<a href=“http://www.collegeplanningsimplified.com/NationalMerit.html]National”>http://www.collegeplanningsimplified.com/NationalMerit.html)</p>
<p>In order to qualify as a NMF (finalist) you need to take the SAT and receive a score that “validates” your PSAT score. Historically, that score has usually been around 2000 (1960 this past year maybe?). You also must demonstrate continued strong academic performance (don’t allow your grades to slip substantially) and have no major disciplinary action against you at school. Usually about 16,000 students make NMSF status, and 15,000 of those make NMF. The most common reasons for not making finalist status is usually just because they don’t take the SAT or they fail to send their SAT scores to NMSC.</p>
<p>Your school will be officially notified in the fall of your senior year if you’ve made NMSF. Official notification of NMF status comes in mid February of your senior year. There are a LOT of excellent automatic and competitive scholarship opportunities for NMF’s that can make your college planning season a lot less stressful. There are several major universities (Alabama and Auburn) in particular which currently offer 4 year full ride scholarships automatically to NMF’s. Here’s a link to a listing of some of the current offers. Realize that with many states in a budget crisis, funding to universities may change and thus these offers are subject to change as well.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/649276-nmf-scholarships-updated-compilation.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/649276-nmf-scholarships-updated-compilation.html</a></p>
<p>I’d suggest reading through the threads in this forum. There’s a lot of good information on strategies for naming first choice schools, etc. Good Luck!!</p>