<p>It could be a mistake. Official notifications are sent some time in September; you’ll know then.</p>
<p>if you hit the cutoff, can you still make semi-finalist?
like i scored a 211 in FL, so if the cutoff score didn’t change, did i make it at 211? or does the cutoff score mean you must be above it to qualify?</p>
<p>Dylanfan: last year TN’s cutoff was 213 so I’d be shocked if it dropped 10 points (although for your sake, I hope it did!) Could you be eligible for National Achievement and that’s how you made semifinalist?</p>
<p>If you’re asking if I’m black, then the answer is no.</p>
<p>I’m confused - is it only the kid’s PSAT score that counts or do they factor in the subsequent SAT scores? For example, I figure PSAT of 205 is below threshold for my state but would SAT of 2180 make up for it?</p>
<p>PSAT only. SAT only confirms the PSAT wasn’t a fluke for semi-finalists.</p>
<p>IloveAPCal, I called the National Merit number a few months ago when my son got his SAT scores, and the woman I spoke with told me what SAT score he would have needed last year to go from semifinalist to finalist. She said that it changes year to year but should be close to that score. She said that last year Texans needed 215 on the PSAT, but the SAT they needed was below 2000. I don’t remember the exact score. But maybe you can call like I did and ask.</p>
<p>Universityquest, is that Aug. 25 date correct? I have been assuming it would be early September like the National Merit website says. I would rather think it would be a while longer then get a pleasant early surprise! My S is 2 above last year’s cutoff, so he is cautiously optimistic!</p>
<p>Barfly, letters could be sent out on that date, but sent to the high schools, who often sit on them for a few weeks because they find mid-September a better time than the busy first weeks of school to release them.</p>
<p>I believe this is typically what happens.</p>
<p>Descartesz, the website says they are sent in early September to the semifinalists and late September to the commended students. But it does seem like what you said is correct because I think in years past people knew before “early September”. Guess we will wait and see. I would like to think that the counselors could find a few minutes in their crazy schedules to hand out letters. It is a huge thing to my son because his dream college gives great scholarships based on National Merit status. Thank you for your reply.</p>
<p>Good luck to him, then!</p>
<p>Thanks. I looked back at last year’s posts, and by Aug. 30 they had the Texas cutoff and a few others nailed down. So, even if my son doesn’t get notice, we may be able to find out on-line what the cutoff is. He isn’t expecting to hear anything until mid-September, so I won’t say anything about finiding out early. It will just stress him out, and he is already stressed out enough about pulling a hamstring during football season!</p>
<p>Dylanfan, I think being Hispanic qualified for National Achievement as well.</p>
<p>My son’s college counselor told me that she always receives the results in late August so we should hear this week. We are in AZ and my son’s score is 3 points above last years cutoff, so hopefully it won’t go up too much.</p>
<p>Scores/letters were supposedly mailed to schools today</p>
<p>Concerto3, where did you hear that they were mailed today? Hope it’s true!</p>
<p>They have definitely been mailed during the last week of August in previous years. Two years ago my older daughter got her NMSF packet during that week. I posted this information about the essay prompt that was in that packet back in 2007: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/385453-official-national-merit-semifinalist-cutoff-scores-2007-a-14.html#post4630617[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/385453-official-national-merit-semifinalist-cutoff-scores-2007-a-14.html#post4630617</a></p>
<p>I called the NMSC earlier today and spoke to a very nice woman in Educational Services. She confirmed that the letters/packets for semi-finalists were mailed today (8/25). She said that I could call back on 9/16 to find out our individual state cut-off score. She also said that the letters/packets do seem to take longer to get to some states, particularly out on the west coast, so don’t panic if it doesn’t show up for awhile.</p>
<p>what are the odds of the cutoff in a very large state going up 3 points. i dont think anything significant changed from last year to this, so i dont see why it would happen?</p>
<p>I need Minnesota to go down one point! JUST ONE! The average score went down… hopefully the cutoff will, too. Pray for me :)</p>