<p>I know I will be able to get information here. Everyone is talking so knowledgeably about National Merit recognition, but I am not informed enough to keep up. My nicely achieving son is the firstborn of firstborns and most of our friends have younger kids than ours…so none of our inner circle have blazed this trail before us yet. I need the basics.</p>
<p>I get the sense that there are different levels of NM recognition (finalist, semi-finalist). What does it all mean? </p>
<p>Some of my son’s teachers are very excited about his PSAT scores. I’m not sure if the money awards are big or plentiful. What is the worth beyond a gold star on your applications? (I’m happy for him even if the reward was a pat on the back, but I think there must be some other reason that the folks at his school are so proud.)</p>
<p>I get the sense that there are hoops he needs to jump through later to receive consideration. What does he need to do next?</p>
<p>Thank you for helping me catch up.</p>