Is National Merit Commended impressive?

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 Scholar 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.

What does it mean to be a National Merit Commended student?

1. Commended Scholar: Students who earn this designation have placed in the top 50,000 scorers on the PSAT (out of about 1.5 million test-takers). This recognition doesn't come with any monetary awards; however, it can still strengthen a student's application and show colleges a high level of academic achievement. 2.

Is being commended on the PSAT good?

It demonstrates your academic ability, especially in regard to standardized testing. In terms of benefits, being a Commended Scholar may not directly result in scholarships or financial aid, as most of those benefits are reserved for Semifinalists or Finalists.

Is National Merit prestigious?

One of the most significant non-financial benefits of being a National Merit Scholar is the recognition and prestige that comes with it. This prestigious award is highly regarded by colleges, universities, employers, and even members of society.

How I Won the National Merit Scholarship (and how you can too!)

Do Ivy Leagues care about National Merit?

Ivy League schools don't award any merit scholarships, which includes National Merit Scholarships. These schools have the highest achieving students applying to their institutions and would rather award need-based financial aid to assist the most students in a fair and equitable manner.

How rare is National Merit?

Of the 1.3 million eligible students who take the PSAT/NMSQT, only about 50,000 of the highest scoring students will receive program recognition. Students whose scores qualify them for recognition in the National Merit Program will be notified through their high schools in September following the test administration.

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.

What percent of students get 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.

How many people get National Commended Scholar?

In September 2024, more than two-thirds (about 34,000) of the high scorers will be designated Commended Students.

Does commended on PSAT 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 are National Merit Commended students chosen?

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.

Is National Merit Letter of Commendation good?

In essence, the commendation is an honor bestowed as those students exit the competition. An additional 16,491 test-takers qualified as semifinalists in pursuit of prestigious National Merit Scholarships. The threshold varies from state to state, but most semifinalists scored well above the commendation level.

Do commended scholars get money?

1. Commended Students: To be recognized as a Commended Student, your PSAT score needs to be among the top 50,000 scorers nationally. While this recognition does not come with specific scholarships, it can still boost your college application.

What is the average IQ of a National Merit Scholar?

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. However, the PSAT is correlated to the SAT at only about a 0.87 level, and probably does a worse job discriminating between high IQ individuals since it is easier.

How do I know if I am a National Merit 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).

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?

3. 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.

Do colleges care about National Merit Scholarship?

While the size of the award isn't as generous as other programs you'll find in your quest to find and win scholarships, it's worth educating yourself on this award for one huge, added benefit: being a National Merit Scholar can provide a powerful boost to your college application.

What is the commended scholar cutoff for class of 2025?

The Commended Student cutoff is likely to rise to 209 (above the 207 from the last 3 years). Estimates can be imperfect, but we are confident that the Commended cutoff will fall within the 208 to 210 range. The higher Commended cutoff, in turn, correlates with higher Semifinalist cutoffs. Below are those estimates.

Is it a big deal to be a National Merit semifinalist?

Semifinalists: These are approximately one-third of the recognized students. The semifinalists are the highest PSAT scorers from each state. If you are selected as one, you will receive a new application to proceed in the National Merit Scholar competition.

Does MIT 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.

Is National Merit Semifinalist impressive?

National Merit Semifinalist:

The cutoff score for semifinalists varies from state to state and is determined by comparing scores with other students in that state. Being named a semifinalist is an impressive achievement in itself, as it places these students among the top scorers in the country.