@LOUKYDAD Congrats on your DS ACT 34! I understand your sentiment that some pressure is off as we felt when our son did the same. You are on right track, assuming your DS continues to pursue the highest academic rigor available at his HS. I can’t recall if you previously discussed, but it is critical in my opinion for your S to prepare as well as possible to nail the PSAT. Being a NMSF is equally important to unlock the most opportunity. My son didn’t take it seriously and fell just below the cutoff. He is a senior now and we can see that he is missing out on some scholarship $$$ only available to NMSF. Academically, they are his peers, but it is an extra level of distinction. So prep, prep, prep while he has the time. That one test counts a lot in the eyes of the scholarship folks. We have the equivalent of a full ride at a state school right now that has a 100 rank, and hoping for more at a few more to also be at or near full ride for a couple more ranked near middle. And yes, meaningful leadership matters and is the subject of many essay prompts.