This site (merit-scholarships dot com) seems to be a good starting point for schools offering National Merit Scholarships. It looks like the information has been recently updated.
Compass Prep has posted that the commended level is at 210 for class of 2026.
3 Likes
Do they know this for a fact or they estimated it?
It says it is confirmed at 210.
3 Likes
I received a selection index of exactly 210. Wondering if this qualify me for commended, and if there is any date when they would be released
Yes. Having a 210 or higher will be commended. Congrats! Not until the end of September will announcements be made. It’s a lot of waiting.
1 Like
Some colleges open up applications in August and September. Should we wait until we are named as NM to apply? thanks!
With S22, he waited on applications that were to more selective universities. Most had Nov 1 deadlines, so waiting until mid-September was fine.
1 Like
Do semi-finalist students get personally notified, either by mail or email, of their status in September or do they have to solely rely on their high school to tell them?
The high school tells them. And in one of my kids’ case, the letter was sitting in the school office for days before anyone bothered opening it. I knew that letters he’d been mailed to the school and I called the school office. The school secretary said “Oh, that must be what this envelope is!”.
This is my concern with my son’s school. How did you know the letters had been mailed to the school?
NMSF had been announced at other schools. I knew he was over the SI, but it was good to get official confirmation.
NMSC will verify a student’s status over the phone.
When will they start verifying by phone?
I don’t know the exact date. When you start seeing people post that their school notified them, you can try calling.
This is all good to know. Thanks everyone, for the heads up!
Are your kiddos waiting until they are named NMSF before submitting applications?
Wondering the same, to add to confusion, we do not have an assigned counselor as my son’s counselor left last year. still exploring high merit NMSF schools and contacting the college counselors for these schools but a bit concerned about TAMU rolling admission for engineering.
My DD did awesome on the PSAT 1500 / 224 index in VA. Unfortunately, she did not do as well on the actual SAT - scored a 1390 which seems to convert to an index of 209. She is trying again in August, but no guarantee of a higher score. Does her SAT have to convert to a 210 (if this is indeed the cut-off for commended) or will 209 be close enough to validate so that she can be considered a NMF? Trying not to sweat it or put any pressure on her, but she is soooo close.
I believe it has to be the commended (210) or higher BUT do look into the ACT for the confirmation score. I believe you can also do the confirmation score with an ACT. My kid does better on SAT than ACT but many kids are the opposite, they do better w/ ACT. Mentioning it in case it is an option and the timing works.