I imagine the real distinction is less state by state and more urban population centers vs. rural areas. Not sure I agree with the “count them on your hands” notion. KY only had a 215 cut-off last year, but the Louisville MSA alone had 93. Probably at least 30% or more of KY’s state wide representation. A typical bell curve on the 93 would exist I presume, and that alone would yield a decent number at 219 or above.
I also think that whether the SAT or ACT dominates in your state makes a huge difference. Almost no one takes the SAT in KY. DS had to travel to another county to sit for it. Our HS focus on and teach to the ACT, not the PSAT/SAT. It shows in DS test results (35 ACT last year vs. 1480 SAT taken about a month apart).
Somewhat related to the discussion about state by state vs national is the “auto-admit” criteria for the UT system. Top 10% from each school is auto-admitted to any of the University of Texas college (top 7% for UT Austin). A Top 7% (or 10%) student from a school that challenges the students may be at a very different intellectual capacity than some one from a school that is less demanding.
It can also depend on the school rigor. My school and the “rival” high school are both similar sized(2000ish students), public high schools in a well off area of town (12 minutes from each other), but mine, according to local admissions officers, is tougher “a B in an AP class at school A is looked at similarly to an A in an AP class from class B” (less grade inflation?). My school had 4 nmsf’s this year and the other school had 0.
(Not trying to bash the other school, they have better music programs and probably some other stuff, but it makes sense from what I’ve heard about the academic rigor).
@DavidPuddy I agree no question that urban areas have schools with vastly different profiles. One school in my city accounted for over 40 of the 93 last year, while a number of schools had zero.
Oddly, the four high schools in S’s district, which all have very similar economic and racial profiles, have vastly different numbers of NMSF. S’s school is actually the smallest in the district but consistently has the highest number of NMSF by a wide margin, so on a per capita basis it’s even more skewed toward his school. None of the typical “profile” discussions explain the difference, and every student in the district takes the PSAT both sophomore and junior years at no cost to the students and has the same access to test prep and the same district-mandated class time in English and math classes devoted to PSAT test prep exercises. S’s school is the smallest but it has the same teacher to student ratio as the other schools. It’s a head-scratcher for sure, because on paper you’d expect all four schools to be similar in NMSF percentage but in practice it’s not even close.
Our school system has 223 NMSFs this year, up from 213 last year. The vast majority are at the sci/tech magnet school. The three schools in the more affluent parts of the county have 10 or 12 NMSFs each. Eight schools have none. The rest have 1 to 7.
The county pays for all freshmen and sophomores to take the PSAT. In junior year, the families pay (except, I hope, for students with free or reduced price lunch).
Just got a call (well my mom got a call) from the school official in charge, she gave me the “I couldn’t tell you before today line” (ugh). She emailed me the letter because I’m doing full time dual enrollment so I’m not in the high school often (was supposed to be there for a robotics meeting today, but that’s a long story :/).
Anyway, I have a question. There’s a question on the application that is: “Are you now enrolled in a college?” The check boxes are no, yes part time, and yes full time.
I am, through running start (WA State’s dual enrollment program) and I am taking a full course-load of classes there, which suggests full time. However, I’m also taking a online class through my high school which suggests part time. However, I’m in high school, which suggests no, and I’m not sure if answering yes disqualifies me from the competition.
I can’t find any information about the correct answer to this question, and I can make an argument for every option! Help!
Edit: If you click on full time, you have an option to choose dual enrollment or early entrant. That’s what I’m going with for now, I guess, unless the online high school class disqualifies me from that?
In case anyone still needs the essay prompt, here it is: To help the reviewers get to know you, describe an experience you have had, a person who has influenced you, or an obstacle you have overcome. Explain why this is meaningful to you. Use your own words and limit your response to the space provided.
Pretty much any college application essay should work.
Oh another (potentially nitpicky) question: For the activities section, does the box labeled hours/weeks want hours per week and weeks per year or just hours per week or what?
Edit: Checked the view pdf application section and it said “hours per week” so I’m going with just hours per week
Today D’s school held a reception for the six NMSFs and their families. It was fantastic. All of the GCs, administrators and the principal were there to congratulate the NMSFs. The students ceremoniously opened their packets, and a seasoned GC clearly explained the process to everyone. They took photos for the press and made the kids feel supported and celebrated. There are a lot of issues with Oklahoma public education these days, but they really got this right.
@ShrimpBurrito That’s awesome! Our school announced it on the loudspeakers today and son went to guidance. They took a picture and told the group of six students the information would be in the mail?!? So we still don’t have any packet or login info, but they did say they will be recognized at a future board meeting where families can attend.
@ak200008 While I don’t have the MI NMSF list, I can tell you that your best chance of getting it is to email the education reporter(s) at any of the big newspapers in your state and ask them to attach it to a reply. Another source is the communication department of your local school district. I was successful in getting the list from both sources for my state earlier today. If you get the list, PM me, and I’ll work with you to post it on CC for all to see. (Same offer goes for anybody else in possession of the NMSF list in pdf format.)