Is it good to be a commended National Merit Scholar?

At this stage you might be named either a Commended Student or a Semifinalist. Both are impressive markers that are worth putting in your college application. Less than 5% of test takers receive any commendation from the National Merit program.

Is National Merit Commended impressive?

Though Commended Scholars do not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, their high scores still demonstrate strong academic abilities, which can be valuable to mention on college applications.

Is National Merit Letter of Commendation good?

Although Commended Students are honored for their academic promise, they do not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarship awards. Some, however, may be can- didates for Special Scholarships offered by corporate sponsors (ex- plained on pages 22–23).

What does it mean to be commended National Merit?

Commended Students

In recognition of their outstanding ability and potential for academic success in college, NMSC will honor these students by sending Letters of Commendation to them through their high schools.

Is being a National Merit Scholar 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.

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Does being a commended scholar mean anything?

Each year, students who earn exceptional scores on the PSAT/NMSQT are recognized as Commended Students. Although Commended Students do not continue on in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, some of these students may qualify for special scholarships offered by the NMSC's sponsors.

Should I put commended Scholar on common app?

NMS Commended usually goes on the Awards/Honors section of the Common App, and it's relatively prestigious. Both.

How many people receive National Merit Commended?

Those not making Semifinalist – about 34.000 of the 50.000, and about 3-4% of all PSAT takers – are "Commended", and receive a Letter of Commendation; they do not continue in the competition for Merit Scholarship awards.

What percent of people get National Merit Commended?

Students who achieve top scores may receive recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. NMSC compares your PSAT scores with those of other students in your state using its own Selection Index, which falls on a scale between 48 and 228. The top 3-4% of scorers are named Commended Scholar.

How many people get National Merit Commended?

PARTICIPANTS WHO QUALIFY FOR NATIONAL MERIT PROGRAM RECOGNITION. 34,000 Commended Students.

How rare is a National Merit Scholar?

A finalist chances of winning

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.

What percentile is National Merit Commended Scholar?

The top 3-4% of scorers are named Commended Scholars—an impressive distinction to put on college applications. The top 1%, or about 16,000 students across the country, are named National Merit Semifinalists.

What level of recognition is National Merit Commended Scholar?

National Merit Commended Scholar and National Merit Semifinalist recognition are both appropriately designated as State/Regional honors.

Does National Merit Scholar look good for college?

Around 34,000 of these students receive Letters of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. While these letters don't include a scholarship check, they look good to admissions offices and can be listed on your college application.

What score do you need to be commended?

To become a Commended Student, one must score at or above the national selection index cut-off. This index varies each year but generally falls around 209-210 out of 240.

How do I list National Merit Commended on common app?

If you have fewer than five awards listed in your Honors section, feel free to include a National Merit designation here. Commended Student and Semifinalist should be listed at the state level, while Finalist and Scholar should be listed at the National level.

What is the Commended Scholar cutoff?

The number of top scorers is the most critical piece of information that we get this early in the process. There is a strong correlation between the 1400-1520 band of students and the Commended Student score. The Commended Student cutoff is likely to rise to 209 (above the 207 from the last 3 years).

Does a 1400 PSAT qualify for National Merit?

Does a 1400 PSAT Qualify 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.

How do you know if you are a commended scholar?

Although you can use the Compass projections to estimate whether you are likely to qualify as a Commended Student or Semifinalist, there is no way of knowing your official status until high schools are notified by NMSC in early September of your senior year (sometimes schools hear by late August).

Should I put National Merit Commended Scholar on UC app?

I'd say, look at the honors section, rank student's awards, and list the best ones. If National Merit Commended makes the cut, absolutely include it. I certainly wouldn't hide it or leave a blank space.

Should I put NHS in honors or activities?

If you have an activity classified as academic, put NHS under community service or other club/activity. If you have an activity classified as other club/activity, put NHS under academic or community service. That way it shows that you have more of a variety of activities.

How are National Merit Commended students notified?

In September following the PSAT/NMSQT, qualifying scorers are notified through their schools of their status as either a Commended Student or Semifinalist.

What is the difference between commended and semifinalist National Merit?

The NMSC uses its own Selection Index to determine which students qualify as Commended Students and Semifinalists. In general, students who score in the top 3-4% are named Commended Scholars, while students who score in the top 1% are deemed Semifinalists. Students are compared on a state-by-state basis.

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.

Was Bill Gates a National Merit Scholar?

He was a National Merit Scholar when he graduated from Lakeside School in 1973. He scored 1590 out of 1600 on the Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT) and enrolled at Harvard College in the autumn of 1973. He chose a pre-law major but took mathematics (including Math 55) and graduate level computer science courses.