<p>Commended is not a status you get before Semifinalist; it’s instead of, and they are awarded at the same time. Mudd’s National Merit scholarship is actually $1000/semester now, which was surprising when I saw that on my FA sheet, but obviously it made me and my parents happy (although I’m not sure whether Mudd’s policy of deducting the first $500 of any extra scholarship you get from the family contribution is per year or per semester).
You are correct, rajasa: with a score of 205 you are very likely to be Commended but not be a Semifinalist (209 was the cut-off for the last 3 years for Semifinalist status).</p>