isn’t NMF defined as 99%tile on PSAT? If so although the smart kids test prep and can usually get 99%tile on ACT or SAT depending on their biased talent and a retake, very few kids prepare for PSAT in our district. N=1 but the only white kid who got into an Ivy that year as also NMF despite lower but similar rank to others who didn’t. I think any “national” or “international” award (by definition NMF is) helps a lot more than just another nice EC. As long as parents understand to the top schools there are 3x-5X times the number of kids per final admin slots the national/international hook most of the time is determinitive.
The elite schools tout their NMF numbers and are keenly aware of them
https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1997/2/5/harvard-tops-list-of-national-merit/