@3scoutsmom I don’t know what the requirement is supposed to be for study abroad in terms of time there before you can apply for it but my D16 Is on NM scholarship at UTD and she applied in spring of freshman year for summer study abroad in New Zealand and got the full $6k. Maybe they are flexible about when you can do it? I think she mentioned something about them liking you to wait until after sophomore year but they didn’t deny her. She did also start college with 68 AP credits so she was already considered a junior by credits I guess but I don’t think that really weighed into it.
So I found out today that S’s school does a whole special thing for NMSF and that the usual procedure is to wait until press release day. They get a special pass to get out of class and all of them go together to a meeting with the principal and head GC, where they’re congratulated and I think they even have a little treat like cupcakes before having their picture taken for the newsletter. I suppose that’s why they wait until press release day to do it; if they bring everyone together for a ceremony they’re technically not keeping NMSF status confidential. Plus they can go over the particulars of the NMF application process for the whole group at one time instead of individually. It sounds like a really nice little celebration and I do see why they wouldn’t do that before September 13. I still wish they’d pass on the letters earlier just because I’ll feel more settled after that, but with S having already completed the essay the application will take no time. I’m really so grateful for this thread and Art’s blog and especially for the kindness of @jswani; it’s wonderful to be ahead of the game on the NMF application!
Thanks to Jswani for confirming my S18 has qualified for NMSF! (Still not a peep from the school and they said they haven’t seen the mailing yet)
Jswani is the bomb diggity
I don’t think AP courses have any affect on PSAT scores. My son got a 221 and when he sat for the PSAT in October of Junior year, had a total of 1 month of AP English (that was it). I did have him take some practice PSAT/SATs in August so he knew what the test was going to be like. He took a total of 3 practice tests over a 2 week period. That’s it.
I think schools make the PSAT sound like a no stress and don’t prep event. Which is fine - unless you are looking to get NMS. Many kids don’t show up (fall sports) or if they do, don’t put a lot of effort because they know the PSAT does not count for college admissions. With a small amount of prep, students could increase their scores.
D18 got her official notification and letter at school today. The total number of NMSF increased from 17 last year to 19 this year (out of 700 kids in the senior class). I’m surprised it wasn’t higher.
D finally got called into the office for NMSF today. Her school only has six this year (lowest number since I’ve been paying attention), and D is the only girl. :-< Story of her life, with four brothers.
The school is hosting a reception after school on Wed for NMSFs and their families. I suspect the superintendent may be there, as last year’s NMSFs had a photo with her in our local paper.
So what would the NMSF score be if it were simply the top 16,000 scores in the country, instead of by states?
@vistajay
I was thinking about calculating that for this year when scores are settled, but I am sure someone has for prior years.
Total SWAG, but I guess 221? It will certainly be higher than the average of all scores, probably somewhere between the average and the high (223).
@DavidPuddy I would guess 219 ish. While there are quite a few California students and NJ students that didn’t make it I don’t think it will be that high. We hear about the CA and NJ not making it because understandably the ones who barely miss their cutoff would have made it in all other states. And that is a heartbreaking story and so it seems super common. But I think there aren’t as many as it seems. 99+ mark was something like 730 E and 740 math and that would be 220. So my guess is 219. I haven’t done any stats or work on it but I wish someone would. Please post if you do some analysis in it. That would be interesting to know. Maybe our smART friend will do some calculations.
@bama2000
I’ll post if I do the analysis or find prior. Art would be a good one, he may have already done it.
With only “a few hundred” named per state, it would not take much for the NJs, CAs etc to eat up hundreds or thousands more at 222 and 221 at a time.
I’m a longtime lurking dad who would like to first thank all the parents (and kids) for sharing information that’s been so helpful. I’ve tried to remain casual, focusing on the fact that my D’s top choices aren’t much swayed by NM status, but appreciates the lovely honor that is NMSF/F. I’ve also felt the heartbreak and the joy of CC parents in this thread.
We’re in PA with a 220 at a public school that’s never had a NMSF, and a very nice and helpful principal who is young and very busy with other matters. As of today, he assured my D that he has not received envelopes from NMSC. She fulfills the normal ‘on track’ requirements, btw.
I’d stepped away from this thread for a few days, but recall that at least one person had the booklet with all names. Would CC people recommend we continue waiting, or that we call NMSC for the access code to get the ball rolling? We have marching band, varsity tennis, and three schools to visit prior to ED1. You folks know what it’s like. It’s a crunch time that requires perfection.
If there’s anyone with the booklet willing to message me to check my D’s name against the list, I’d be forever grateful.
@wwhspdad, @jswani is the person to ask - can you send him or her a message? (There used to be a threshold number of posts that you had to have before you could message someone, but I don’t know if that is still the case.) In any event, it sounds like congratulations are in order for your D! I think if you don’t get the info from your principal, NMSC will likely give it to you on September 13. Best of luck!
Thank you! I was able to message @jswani. Just FYI, newbs can message up to five people at once, which seems the only limitation. Spam protection, I guess.
@wwhspdad your principal should also be able to call NMSC about lack of information, assuming that he’s being truthful in that regard. Thought I saw upthread something about that. Obviously, schools are not bound by tne press release date when it comes to getting the info. from NMSC.
Congratulations to those of you who have made the cutoff. Can anyone share the essay prompt for the 2018 finalist essay? Thank you.
Haven’t heard either after a week of being back in school - so frustrating! Someone previously posted this essay prompt: 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.
@vistajay best guess I’d have to agree with @DavidPuddy at about 221.