1 competition rounds
1.1 psat/nmsqt
1.2 semifinalist
1.3 finalist
1.4 scholarships
competition rounds
psat/nmsqt
the nmsc uses psat/nmsqt initial screen of on 1.5 million program entrants. in spring of junior year, nmsc determines national selection index qualifying score (critical reading + math + writing skills scores) commended recognition, calculated each year yield students @ 96th percentile (top 50,000 highest scorers). until 2016 (when college board changed format , style of psat), scores in 200s (out of 240) qualified recognition; however, new sat , psat format , grading system, out of 228 (not 240, on old psat), qualifying scores commendation 207, qualifying levels change annually depending on how top approximately 50,000 high scorers fared. qualification levels vary state, , qualifying levels higher in competitive states such new jersey , massachusetts. 2009/2010 school year, score of 217 required in california qualify. notification mailed school principals in april regarding students scored @ or above level. principals notify students of status. these students given opportunity identify 2 colleges or universities nmsc send scores.
semifinalist
early next september (beginning of senior year, year after psat/nmsqt taken), nmsc determines selection index qualifying scores further recognition state (including 3 other areas: dc, territories , commonwealths, , students enrolled in schools outside us) , boarding schools (by geographic region). 16,000 of 50,000 recognized national merit semifinalists in process. selection index qualifying scores semifinalist standing vary state state , year year. each state allocated percentage of semifinalists based on percentage of state s graduating seniors out of nation s total. national merit scholarship corporation not release public minimum qualifying score required per state. in august after psat taken, high school principals mailed notification semifinalists. principals communicate these results students, though misread nmsc materials , not release them until nmsc press release, comes in mid-september. not making semifinalist commended , , receive letter of commendation; not continue in competition merit scholarship awards.
finalist
semifinalists must fulfill additional requirements , advance finalist level of competition considered scholarship. approximately 15,000 of 16,000 semifinalists advance finalist standing submitting sat scores confirm earlier psat/nmsqt performance, having outstanding academic record, , being endorsed , recommended high school official. must submit application includes high school courses , grades, extracurricular , volunteer activities, , self-descriptive essay. information collected each semifinalist used later in process choose scholarship winners. finalists receive certificate of merit in recognition of outstanding performance in competition.
scholarships
of 15,000 finalists, 8,000 receive merit scholarship awards. finalists considered 1 of 2,500 national merit $2,500 scholarships. national merit $2,500 scholarship winners finalists in each state judged have strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, , potential success in rigorous college studies. number of winners named in each state proportional state’s percentage of nation’s graduating high school seniors. these scholars selected committee of college admissions officers , high school counselors, appraised substantial amount of information submitted both finalists , high schools: academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied , grades earned; scores 2 standardized tests; contributions , leadership in school , community activities; essay written finalist; , recommendation written high school official. nmsc s own funds support majority of these awards corporate sponsors underwrite these awards grants provide nmsc in lieu of paying administrative fees. 1,100 merit scholarship awards provided corporate sponsors finalists meet criteria specified sponsor. of these awards children of sponsor s employees, finalists living in particular geographic area, or finalists have career plans sponsor wishes encourage. these 2 types of awards can used @ regionally accredited college or university in united states. there approximately 4,600 college-sponsored merit scholarship awards finalists plan attend sponsor college. finalists report nmsc first choice college (college-sponsored merit awards). in addition, 1,500 program participants below finalist level receive special scholarships provided corporate sponsors.
to receive scholarship payment, merit scholarship winner must (a) notify nmsc of plans enroll in college or university in united states holds accredited status regional accrediting commission on higher education, , (b) plan enroll full-time in undergraduate course of study leading traditional baccalaureate degree. nmsc scholarship stipends not payable attendance @ service academies, distance learning programs, , institutions limited in purposes or training. number of national merit scholars not receive monetary award because educational plans or other awards preclude receipt of monetary scholarship; however, these students may honored honorary merit scholars, designation acknowledges achievement without providing financial assistance.
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