How rare is National Merit Scholarship?

Of the 1.5 million applicants who submitted a PSAT score, there are only 7,250 National Merit Scholarship winners. This means you have a 0.5% chance of becoming a National Merit Scholar, making this one of the most competitive merit-based scholarships.

Is National Merit Scholarship impressive?

The National Merit Scholarship is only one of many merit scholarships that students can win in the college application process, but it is among the most prestigious.

How many people win the National Merit Scholarship?

Of the 15,000 Finalists, about 8,000 receive Merit Scholarship awards.

Is National Merit Scholarship top 1 percent?

The top 3-4% of scorers are named Commended Scholar. The top 1%, usually about 16,000 students, are named National Merit Semifinalists. Semifinalists may go on to apply for Finalist status and potentially win scholarship money. As I mentioned above, NMSC uses its own Selection Index along with state percentiles.

What is a good score for National Merit Scholarship?

National Merit cutoff scores

You can see that a Selection Index score of 221 would qualify a student for National Merit Semifinalist status in most states, but some states required higher scores, including Massachusetts, with a cutoff of 222, and New Jersey, with a cutoff of 223.

National Merit Scholarship Program: What Is It and How It Works?

Is 1400 enough for National Merit?

First, a 1400 is an excellent score on the PSAT, so congratulations on that achievement. However, whether it qualifies for National Merit does depend on the state you're in, as whether or not you're named a semifinalist depends on whether your score is within the top 1% of test-takers in your state.

How hard is it to get National Merit Scholarship?

A finalist chances of winning

Ultimately, a National Merit finalist has about a 50% chance of being selected as a National Merit scholar. 7,250 finalists will become National Merit Scholars, receiving a National Merit Scholarship amount of $2,500 to help cover the cost of college.

Is National Merit a big deal?

At the very least, doing well in the National Merit Scholarship Program can boost your odds in the college application process. Award amounts are the focus of many frequently asked questions about the scholarship program and its benefits, but dollars aren't the only measure of how Merit Scholars benefit.

How prestigious is National Merit finalist?

Recognition: Being a National Merit Finalist is a significant achievement and can be included on college applications, resumes, and other professional documents. Increased college admissions chances: Many colleges and universities give preferential treatment to National Merit Finalists in the admissions process.

How competitive is National Merit Scholarship?

Out of around 1.5 million eligible high school students, the program identifies 50,000 top scorers for commendation or a scholarship. That means the program recognizes the top 3% of test-takers nationally. Less than 1% of test-takers will receive a scholarship.

How many National Merit finalists are there 2023?

The 2,500 Merit Scholar designees were chosen from a talent pool of more than 15,000 outstanding Finalists in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program.

How do I know if I am a National Merit Semifinalist?

Semifinalists are notified through their schools in early September. Semifinalists who are homeschooled are notified at their home addresses.

How many people get National Merit every year?

Winning a National Merit Scholarship is no easy task. Each year, approximately 50,000 students (out of 1.4 million juniors) qualify for recognition based on their high PSAT score . Around 34,000 of these students receive Letters of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Are National Merit Scholars smart?

Assuming the lower bound is 131, the median National Merit Scholar (a student at the 50th percentile of the group) will have an IQ of 135.

Is National Merit hard?

How hard is it to get the National Merit Scholarship? Earning a National Merit Scholarship is a rigorous academic process that is not guaranteed by any one action. Less than 1% of the approximately 1.5 million high school students who take the PSAT will become a National Merit Scholar.

How rare is National Merit Semifinalist?

Semifinalists. More than 16,000 of the high scorers, representing less than 1% of the nation's high school graduating seniors, will qualify as Semifinalists. Only Semifinalists will have an opportunity to advance in the competition for Merit Scholarship^® awards.

Do Ivy Leagues care about National Merit?

Some colleges that do NOT sponsor scholarships for National Merit students include Harvard and other Ivy League schools, Middlebury College, MIT, Stanford, and Williams College.

What percent of people get National Merit finalist?

About 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title. The release is made available here to provide information about the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Which schools have the most National Merit finalists?

Does Harvard accept National Merit Scholarship?

Outside Awards

Like many of our students, you may receive scholarship funds from sources outside Harvard, such as secondary schools, civic organizations, your parental employers, corporations, the National Merit Scholarship Programs, and the ROTC.

How important is being a National Merit Scholar?

Becoming a National Merit Scholar is a significant academic achievement and can certainly enhance a student's college application, including for Ivy League colleges.

How much money does National Merit give you?

The National Merit Scholarship awards $2,500 to each National Merit Scholar. Every year, around 7,500 high school juniors receive a National Merit Scholarship.

Is 97th percentile good enough for National Merit?

Based on the scores of real grade 11 students who took the PSAT, a score of 1400 puts you in the 97th percentile. You may not qualify for the National Merit Scholarship with this score: it also depends on the cut-off scores of your state.

Does 1300 qualify for National Merit?

Based on your PSAT score of 1300 (690 EBRW and 610 Math), it is possible that you may qualify for National Merit consideration next year. However, it's important to note that the qualifying score varies by state and is based on the scores of other students in your state who take the PSAT.

Does 1470 qualify for National Merit?

To be competitive for National Merit Semifinalist status, students need to score about 1400 on the PSAT in less competitive states like Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota . . . or about 1470 on the PSAT in more competitive states like Connecticut or New Jersey.