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Do colleges care if you are a National Merit semifinalist?
Your SAT and ACT scores are far more important to colleges; your National Merit status does not add much new information. However, having a high number of enrolled Semifinalists is seen as a badge of honor at some colleges and will factor in their admission decisions.
What is the cutoff for National Merit Semifinalist?
National Merit Semifinalist Cutoffs Class of 2023
| State | Class of 2023 (Est. Range) | Class of 2020 (Actual) |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 217 – 221 | 219 |
| Arkansas | 210 – 215 | 214 |
| California | 221 – 223 | 222 |
| Colorado | 217 – 221 | 220 |
What is the cutoff score for National Merit?
222
Scores Needed for National Merit Scholarships
| STATE | SELECTION INDEX SCORE |
|---|---|
| California | 222 |
| Colorado | 220 |
| Connecticut | 221 |
| Delaware | 220 |
What was the National Merit qualifying score for 2020?
National Merit PSAT Cutoff Scores Class of 2020
| State | Class of 2020 Cutoff Score |
|---|---|
| California | 222 |
| Colorado | 220 |
| Connecticut | 221 |
| Delaware | 220 |
When are National Merit Semifinalists announced?
Semifinalists must also excel in the classroom and receive a high score on the SAT. About 90 percent of semifinalists are expected to reach the finalist level, and half of the finalists will win a national merit scholarship. Finalists will be announced in February, followed by winners in spring 2017.
What PSAT score do you need to qualify for National Merit?
Becoming a National Merit Finalist is competitive and requires a top score on the PSAT. Although it varies from state to state, most students must score above 1400 (out of 1520) to qualify as a Semifinalist, which means they can compete to move on to Finalist standing.
What is National Merit cutoff score?
The National Merit Corporation is first and foremost looking to award academic achievement. There is no strict cutoff, but a competitive GPA (3.5 and above) and high SAT scores (approximately 1400 and above) are recommended. Your academic record should also show that you challenged yourself with honors and AP classes .
Does your PSAT score qualify for National Merit?
The exact PSAT score for National Merit consideration varies from year to year and by state, but it’s always the top 1\% of students (about 16,000 juniors) who qualify as Semifinalists.