national merit semifinalist essay prompt

National Merit Scholarship Program Explained

Below we cover the the most frequently asked questions about the National Merit Scholarship Program. Please see our National Merit Semifinalist Cutoffs page for the latest information on actual and projected Selection Index cutoffs by state.

What is the National Merit Scholarship Program and how do you enter? The NMSP is a program administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation in cooperation with the College Board to recognize high achieving high school seniors. Some recognition levels are based purely on junior PSAT/NMSQT scores, while other levels have additional qualifications (explained below). The NMSC gives out approximately $50 million in scholarships each year, and some colleges provide lowered —or even free —tuition to recognized students, multiplying the net impact of National Merit severalfold.

You must take the PSAT/NMSQT as a high school junior and either attend high school in the United States or U.S. Territories or be a U.S. student studying abroad. On your PSAT score report, you will see a section with your Selection Index and how you answered the questions about your entry eligibility. If there is an asterisk next to your Selection Index, it means that NMSC believes that you are ineligible.

What if I couldn’t take the PSAT? Every year students miss the PSAT for legitimate reasons such as illness. To allow those students the opportunity to compete in National Merit, NMSC has a process known as alternate entry . Students must make a written request to NMSC for an alternate entry application form. The application itself must be signed off on by your principal or counselor and postmarked no later than April 1 after the missed PSAT/NMSQT.

What is the Selection Index? The Selection Index is a weighting of your PSAT component scores to determines the level of your recognition within the initial stages of the National Merit program.

How is the Selection Index calculated? The Selection Index is double the sum of your Reading and Writing (RW) score, and Math score divided by 10. Alternatively, you can simply drop the last zero on your section scores, double the RW and add the Math. For example, a student with scores of 690 RW and 720 M would have a Selection Index of 69 x 2 + 72 = 210. You cannot directly calculate a Selection Index from a Total Score (320 – 1520). For students entering the competition with an SAT score through Alternate Entry, note that — when calculating a Selection Index — each SAT section is capped at 760. If, for example, you have a 700 RW and 800 Math, your Selection Index would be 70 x2 + 76 = 216.

Why is the Reading and Writing twice as important as the Math? The emphasis on “verbal” skills has a long history with the NMSP. The digital PSAT no longer has separate Reading and Writing scores, but the RW score is still doubled.

I’ve already received my PSAT scores; how can I find out whether I will qualify for recognition? 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). Compass has published the cutoffs for the class of 2024 and estimates for the class of 2025 . An historical archive dating back more than 15 years can be found here . The Commended cutoff for future classes becomes unofficially known in the April after the PSAT. Compass will report this score and how it may impact Semifinalist cutoffs on our regularly updated cutoffs post.

Will I qualify as a Semifinalist if I am in the 99th percentile for Selection Index according to my score report? Although approximately 1% of test takers will become Semifinalists, there are a number of reasons why percentile scores are far too inaccurate to determine eligibility. Even the state percentiles that are now on the digital SAT report do not have enough information, because they are actually based on the prior 3 years of scores. Further, the percentile is rounded, and not accurate enough to determine cutoffs.

Why do some states have more Semifinalists and Finalists than other states? Although Commended Scholars are honored based on a single, national cutoff, NMSC distributes Semifinalists proportionally to states (and District of Columbia and U.S. Territories) based on the number of graduating students in the state. For example, California sees approximately 2,100 Semifinalists each year—the most in the country. It gets 13% of Semifinalists because it produces approximately 13% of high school graduates. Mississippi, on the other hand, typically sees about 135 National Merit Semifinalists, because the state produces a bit more than 0.8% of U.S. graduates. The distribution is completely unrelated to the number of students taking the PSAT in the state.

Why are Semifinalist cutoffs so much higher in some states than in others? Two things that have impact on cutoffs are participation rates and demographics. In some states, ACT is the dominant test and not as many students take the PSAT. This leaves some students out of the competition and will tend to produce lower cutoffs. Some states have large pockets of extremely qualified students and are particularly competitive. For example, Massachusetts and New Jersey have class of 2024 cutoffs of 222 and 223, respectively. At the other end of the spectrum, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming had NMSF cutoffs of 207 for the class of 2024. The minimum Semifinalist cutoff for a state is the national Commended level. If, for example, the Commended cutoff is at 210, no state can have a Semifinalist cutoff less than 210.

How are Semifinalists set for homeschoolers, boarding school students, or U.S. students studying abroad? Homeschoolers are treated no differently than other students in a state. U.S. students studying abroad will have to meet the highest state cutoff in the country. For the class of 2024, that was 223. Boarding school cutoffs are the most complex to calculate. Instead of being set at the state level, they are determined regionally. A Northeast boarding school student, for example, must meet the highest cutoff of any state within the Northeast region. NMSC defines boarding schools as schools with predominantly out-of-state students. NMSC considers your state to be where you went to school when you took the PSAT, not your state of residency or the state of your new school.

Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to participate? NMSC has made this part of the process easier to understand than it was in the past. Students at high school in the U.S. or in U.S. Territories are eligible. Period. Students studying abroad are eligible as long as they are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents of the U.S. (“green card”) or or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become U.S. citizens at the earliest opportunity allowed by law.

Will NMSC notify me if I become a Semifinalist? No. NMSC provides information only to schools until a student becomes a Finalist. Homeschoolers are the exception.

When will my school tell me? NMSC mails information to schools in late August. Some schools let students know their status in early September. Many schools wait until NMSC officially releases student names to the press in the second week of September. Compass will track all of the latest news on our Semifinalists cutoff page.

Will being a Semifinalist help get me into my first-choice college? While Semifinalist status is a nice award to list on your application, you should not expect it alone to have a significant impact on your admission chances at most colleges. The recognition tells college that you did well on the PSAT. 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. Some colleges have programs specifically to attract National Merit Finalists and offer large merit awards.

Do I need to take the SAT to become a Semifinalist? No. Commended Student and Semifinalist recognition are based only on your Selection Index and your entry eligibility.

What happens after I am named a Semifinalist? Semifinalists will receive login credentials for the Finalist application portal. You will need to provide background information and an essay. Your school will need to provide its recommendation and electronically submit your application in the second week of October,

What is the National Merit Finalist essay prompt? NMSC may change the prompt in future years, but it has been the same for many years. It is broad enough that most students are able to use or slightly rework their Common App essay. For the class of 2024, the prompt was:

“To help the reviewers get to know you, describe an experience you have had, a person who has influenced you, or an obstacle you have overcome. Explain why this is meaningful to you. Use your own words and limit your response to the space provided.”

There is not a word limit specified, but the essay must fit within the provided space (approximately 3500 characters). Expect to keep your essay to 600 – 650 words.

Do I need to take the SAT or ACT to become a Finalist? Among the requirements to proceed from Semifinalist to Finalist is that you receive a “confirming score.” This score helps validate that you can, on an official SAT or ACT test date, achieve a high score and confirm your testing skill.

Can a high ACT score be a confirming score? Yes, the ACT can be used to confirm PSAT results.

How high of an SAT score do I need for a confirming score? The confirming score is determined each year by NMSC and is calculated in the same way as the PSAT Selection Index. The confirming score is set nationally, so it does not matter what Semifinalist cutoff you met. The confirming SAT Selection Index (SSI) generally falls at or near the Commended cutoff.

The easiest calculation of the SSI is from your section scores. Drop a zero, double your RW, and add your Math score. For example, Student X might have a total score of 1450, with section scores of 720 RW and 730 M. Student X’s SSI would be 2(72) + 73 = 217. It’s possible for a student with a lower total score to have a higher SSI. Student Y has a total score of 1430, with section scores of 750 ERW and 690 M. Student Y’s SSI would be 2(75) + 69 = 219.

You cannot determine your SSI directly from your total score. One student scoring 1400 might have a high enough SSI, whereas another student with a 1400 might fall short. You must know your RW and Math scores.

How high of an ACT score do I need for a confirming score? NMSC wants to have a level playing field, so it converts components of the ACT score into an SAT Selection Index. In order to do that, you need to use the official concordance tables published by ACT/College Board. There is no SAT Science, so NMSC does not look at ACT Science. So discard that score.

Step 1: Add your ACT English and ACT Reading scores Step 2: Use the ACT E+R to SAT RW concordance table to find the concordant SAT RW score based on the sum in step 1. Be sure that you are going in the correct direction when using the concordance tables. ACT E+R to SAT RW is not always the same as SAT RW to ACT E+R. Step 3: Use the ACT M to SAT M table to find the concordant SAT M score based on your ACT Math score. Step 4: Calculate your SAT SI: drop the last zeros (i.e. divide by 10), double your RW, and add your Math score. You want this number to be at least as high as your class year’s Commended Student score.

Example: A student has ACT scores of 32E, 34M, 33R, and 31S. Science is not used. The sum of E and R is 65. In the concordance tables, this is equivalent to a 700 RW. The 34 Math is concordant to a 760. This student’s SAT Selection Index is 70×2 + 76 = 216.

When do I have to take the SAT or ACT for the score to be ‘confirmed’? You can use any SAT or ACT score from the fall of your sophomore year to December of your senior year. This means that you could have received an SAT confirming score even before taking the PSAT/NMSQT. NMSC recommends that you not wait until the December test date.

How do I submit scores to NMSC? NMSC does not automatically know your SAT and ACT scores. You must submit them just as you would to a college. The College Board code for NMSC is 0085. The ACT code is 7984. Please verify these codes before submitting. Since NMSC will use your highest scores, there is no penalty for choosing them as one of your free score recipients when you register for the SAT or ACT.

Can I superscore SAT or ACT dates in order to reach the confirming score cutoff? No. NMSC will use your highest scores, but will not superscore across test dates.

If I have achieved a confirming score, is there any reason to shoot for a higher score? The requirement for a confirming score is simply true or false when applying to become a Finalist. However, your test scores are used to evaluate you during the scholarship phase of the competition. Depending on your goals, you may want to optimize your score.

Can sophomores qualify for National Merit recognition? No. Even if your scores are high enough, you will not be eligible for National Merit as a sophomore unless you will be graduating a year early. In that case, you should contact NMSC or your principal about next steps as NMSC has no way of automatically knowing your eligibility.

Is it hard for a Semifinalist to become a Finalist? Of the 16,000 Semifinalists, 15,000 become Finalists. You must go through an application process to proceed to Finalist level and then to compete for National Merit Scholarships. As part of the application, you must meet citizenship requirements, have a satisfactory academic record, achieve a confirming score on the SAT or ACT (and submit the scores to NMSC!), write an essay, and receive a recommendation from your principal. More information can be found in the PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide . In the Semifinalist letter from your school (it will NOT come from NMSC unless you are homeschooled), NMSC will provide details about how to begin the process online.

When will I find out if I am a Finalist? You will be notified in February of senior year.

Do all Finalists receive scholarships? What is a National Merit Scholar? Only about half of Finalists become National Merit Scholars and receive a National Merit Scholarship. There are three types of scholarships for Finalists, each with its own criteria. A student can only receive one type of scholarship. Approximately 4,000 Finalists receive scholarships from sponsoring colleges with renewable stipends of $500–$2,500 per year. Students must be accepted by a sponsoring institution and list the college as first choice in order to receive a college-sponsored award. These awards are not transferable to another college. Corporations sponsor approximately 1,000 awards for Finalists each year with a minimum one-time value of $2,500 or $1,000 renewable. Most of these awards are to Finalists who are the children of employees. Approximately 2,500 students receive awards of $2,500 directly from National Merit. These awards are highly competitive and are allocated proportionally by state. A list of sponsoring colleges and corporations can be found in the PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide .

I’ve heard about colleges that provide full-ride awards. Why are college-sponsored awards only listed as $500–$2,500 per year? Colleges can also choose to provide additional awards to National Merit Finalists. These are not technically National Merit Scholarships, but they can be the most important awards for many students. Which colleges offer these awards and how much they offer can change from year to year. In recent years, Florida has had a generous scholarship program for National Merit Finalists, and schools such as UT-Dallas and Texas A&M also provide substantial awards. Compass does not maintain a database of scholarships. The National Merit forum at collegeconfidential.com is a useful resource.

Are scholarships available to Commended Students and Semifinalists? Technically, these students cannot be National Merit Scholars, but approximately 1,100 of them will receive Special Scholarships from sponsoring corporations. As with other corporate-sponsored awards, these are predominantly for the children of employees, although companies can also identify students in a particular region or field of study.

When will I find out if I receive a scholarship? You will be notified of scholarship status sometime between March and June of your senior year. In order to receive a college-sponsored scholarship, you must note the college as your first choice on the National Merit application. It can be to your advantage not to immediately choose a first-choice college—you can leave it as “Undecided.” You do not want to miss out on a large scholarship because you have listed the wrong college. There is no reason to list a college that does not provide National Merit Scholarships. List your first-choice among college that do provide scholarships. You can update your choice via the Online Scholarship Application portal.

About Art Sawyer

Art graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, where he was the top-ranked liberal arts student in his class. Art pioneered the one-on-one approach to test prep in California in 1989 and co-founded Compass Education Group in 2004 in order to bring the best ideas and tutors into students' homes and computers. Although he has attained perfect scores on all flavors of the SAT and ACT, he is routinely beaten in backgammon.

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Next post national merit semifinalist cutoffs class of 2024 - archived, 456 comments.

Hello! I had a question about Alternative Entry. If a student took the PSAT/NMSQT as a 10th grader (as practice, with the rest of his class), would this then disqualify him from using the “Alternative Entry” method in 11th grade? I realize that to do Alternative Entry you can’t already taken the PSAT– but I wasn’t sure if that applied to just PSATs in junior year, when kids are eligible for entering the National Merit competition. [For clarification- I’m sure the test that the kids took was the PSAT/NMSQT, and NOT the PSAT 10.] Thank you!

Steph, Only the junior year PSAT/NMSQT serves as a qualifier for National Merit. The sophomore year test your student took is, therefore, irrelevant. The Alternate Entry process specifically applies to students who are unable to take the 11th grade PSAT.

Hi Art, For a 10th grader, would you recommend taking PSAT/NMSQT or SAT given that to qualify for NMSC, the child would have to re-take PSAT/NMSQT again in junior year.

Vivek, There is not a right or wrong answer here. Normally I would recommend that a student go ahead and take the PSAT. It’s convenient; it’s very similar to the digital SAT. That last part is important. If the student’s testing career is going to extend beyond this December (and that’s true for virtually all sophomores), they will be taking the digital SAT. If your student wants to get in a paper SAT, they have until December. For all but a very small number of sophomores, that seems like overkill. A fall sophomore is unlikely to be at a point where they’ll get a final score (the exception would be students already well into the 1500s). And it doesn’t have a practice benefit because the paper SAT is almost gone. So my soft recommendation would be to go ahead and take the PSAT.

1. For the students who got selected to semi-finalists, they need to submit only one school of their choice (one of the questions) in the NMSQT finalist application – does the public/private school choice make a difference in getting the Corporate/NMSQT awards? 2. Do the parents need to be an employee of the Corporate Sponsors to receive any awards under the corporate awards category?

Thank you in advance. Best,

Neelahm, If a Semifinalist becomes a Finalist and has listed a school that sponsors National Merit, NMSC will generally match the student with a school award. If the student’s first choice is not a sponsor, then they will be eligible for a corporate or NMSC award. The student’s first choice school can be updated through April, I believe, but the matching process starts in March.

Most corporate awards are for the children of employees. You can find more info here on page 10 of the Student Guide .

English Learners cannot take the NMSQT w/accommodations such as “extended time”; the system does not allow them. Is this a true statement?

Synde, That is a true statement. There is no accommodation specifically for English Learners on the PSAT, SAT, or ACT as far as I am aware.

Hello Art If my ACT is 35 & translates to 228/230 ( twice taken ) and SAT is (229) , which do you think should I submit? Also if I do ACT should I just submit the superscore as it will include both. Would you also be able to chime in with regards to colleges which would be a better option to send SAT ( 1530 ) or ACT (35 both times) ?

As always thank you so much for your time & help Best MaryAnn

Mary Ann, Both your SAT and ACT are so strong that it doesn’t matter for National Merit which one you provide. Those scores are only used as a minimum qualifying standard — the “confirming score.” They are not used in the competition itself.

It’s very much a toss-up for colleges. As a single point to point concordance, a 35 is equivalent to a 1540. In the other direction, a 1530 is concordant with a 35. You might say that the ACT is ever so slightly stronger.

Thank you so much for your kind help and time! Best !

My son is in his junior year and he has an SAT score of 1570 and a PSAT score of 1460. Do you think he has a chance to qualify to become a semi finalist for NMSQT Scholarship? Please let us know.

Thanks, Usha

Usha, Only his PSAT score matters for qualification as a Semifinalist. Actually, it’s the Selection Index that matters, not so much his 1460. The SI puts twice the weight on the Reading and Writing score. You’ll find his Selection Index on his score report. The cutoffs are determined by state. In some places he would probably qualify easily. In other states he might miss out. See our estimates in my other post here .

I wanted to ask if you know what the typical cutoffs for the National Merit African American, Hispanic recognition, Rural recognition typically are? I know they’ve been making some changes the past few years? I’m a tutor who’s going to be doing some pro bono work at a Title I school in our county for some of their top sophs this coming fall and the admin asked if i knew what the typical cutoffs are for those programs!

Love your blog!

MG, I wish I could be more helpful here, but College Board doesn’t release the figures — at least not en masse. The cutoffs are set by state, and student must be in the top 10% of scores (they can also qualify via AP scores). You might want to call College Board and ask about your state.

Thank you for the kind words, and thank you for helping students in your local area!

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How to Write a National Merit Essay

Teresa j. siskin.

You’ve cleared the first hurdle once you’ve become a semifinalist for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. Continuing to compete as a finalist means completing an application, which includes an essay. While there is no one "correct” way to write this essay, you can help distinguish yourself from fellow semifinalists by offering a clear, concise 500-word piece that shares a perspective and leaves an impression.

Explore this article

• Structure and Inspiration

1 Structure and Inspiration

You can approach the National Merit Scholarship essay as you would any other scholarship essay. According to Kansas State University and Dr. Kay Peterson from the University of Florida, one way to structure your essay is to focus on a life altering or defining moment. Draw from a simple occurrence, such as falling off your bike as a small child or a book you read, or from a much more intense event, such as losing a home in a hurricane, as long as you relay what lesson you took from that experience. Use the introduction of your essay to recount this defining moment, and conclude with a thesis that summarizes how that event affected your outlook on life. Then, use your subsequent body paragraphs to highlight how this moment continues to affect your life personally or academically, and conclude by relating this experience to your goals for college, your desire for college scholarships, or your passion for becoming a National Merit Scholar. You can always ask others for help both in brainstorming for essay topics and in editing your final product.

• 1 University of Florida Office of Financial Aid: Writing the Scholarship Essay
• 2 Kansas State University: Writing Scholarship Essays

About the Author

Teresa J. Siskin has been a researcher, writer and editor since 2009. She holds a doctorate in art history.

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Scholarship Essays

National Merit Scholarship Essay Example 1 - Influential Person or Obstacle

To help the reviewers get to know you, describe an experience you have had, a person who has influenced you, or an obstacle you have overcome. explain why this is meaningful to you.

"What's your box?" The speaker's words, amplified by the microphone, resonated in my mind. What is my box? I know what my box is, that is the thing that limits me, that keeps me from opening myself up to the world, and I am well aware of the fact that it exists. But why does my box exist? I didn't know, and that's why I couldn't stop mulling over those three words.

That assembly was unlike any that I had ever been to. The man who came to speak that day was unique. Instead of talking at us, it was like he was having a conversation with all six hundred of us. His message was simple: don't be scared. Don't be scared to break your box, to be yourself, and to get mad.

He asked us, the audience, to raise our hands if we had a box. The majority of the people sitting in the auditorium did, some reluctantly, others without hesitation. I kept my hands resting timidly in my lap. And that's when I realized. That was my box. I deny myself of the liberty of letting people in, and, in all honesty, I had no idea why it was there, barring me in almost every facet of my life.

That night, exhausted, I laid on my bed and squeezed my eyes shut, but sleep did not come as easily as I had hoped or expected. Instead, I found myself pondering over that one question: why does my box exist? Although my eyes were focused intently on the ceiling, I was looking at a slideshow of my life. I scanned through the years, looking for one particular event so profound that it altered the way that I presented myself to the public. And I found nothing. Sure, there were some sad moments in my life, but none where there was such a discernible difference in my attitude after it passed.

I found myself dismayed by my fruitless search. But in that time that I spent engrossed in my psyche, I took a close look at my mental processes and I learned more about myself than I ever had before. I know now that there is no single event that altered my development or defined me; I am who I am because of a multitude of factors and it is important that I come to accept these aspects of myself if I am to change.

In my opinion, it is essential that we get to know ourselves, even if we don't know what exactly makes us the people we are. if we hope to mature and develop, it helps to have an understanding of ourselves. In that one day of introspection, I learned a lot about myself. That assembly is significant to me because it prompted a single question that inspired a progression in my way of thinking.

Original Source: Essay Forum

Jeff Widman

I enjoy hacking/optimizing systems. currently working as a software engineer focused on infrastructure/plumbing. founded/sold two companies., the magical 4.0–national merit finalist essay.

When I was a junior in highschool, I had to write a 500 word essay as part of the process of becoming a National Merit Finalist (remember the PSAT?). This is still o still one of my favorites:

——————————————————————————————–

The Magical 4.0

As I walked to the front of the class and began to read, I found it impossible to think; I could only read each word one at a time. It was the last day of finals, and I was presenting my narrative project to my English class. Only four days earlier, my dreams had been shattered. I had lost my 4.0. Struggling for an “A” throughout the quarter, it had come down to the very last test; I needed to get a 98. When the teacher returned my test, an 89.5 glared in red at the top of the page. Even more painful was the inner questioning that had immediately followed. My narrative project became my analytical tool as I struggled to make sense of my loss. Re-telling the event in the third-person, I shoved my emotions aside and asked the questions I previously had not dared to face.

As the quarter had progressed everything else had faded except this goal of maintaining my 4.0. Every spare moment had been spent studying Chemistry, or revising my World Literature essay. My friends had become strangers. Because I had been consistently going to bed after midnight, my performance in Track had suffered–I no longer had any chance of running in the State meet.

But how could I distill this experience into a narrative? Could I adequately describe the effort that had gone into my 4.0, or how close I had come to getting an A, only to see it pulled just out of my reach on the very last test? Would my audience even care? Would they understand how hard I worked for perfection, how I expected perfection–how I was used to perfection? Would they understand what it meant to lose perfection?

I labored over my narrative to shorten it–every time I started typing it would just grow and grow. The ending was the biggest challenge; it wasn’t until I started typing the last paragraph that I came up with the idea of a happy-ever-after ending, the ending I almost had, where I scored a 99 instead of an 89.5.

Not until after my presentation, as I shared my reflections on the experience, did I reveal to the class that I had really gotten the 89.5. Afterward my English professor would write, “This was one of my favorite moments of last year, Jeff. Maybe best of all was the brilliant move to have the ending different than what actually happened in your life, and then reveal that ‘real’ ending in your comments. The entire room was transfixed by your revelation; I could feel it. You both criticized yourself and elevated yourself by so bravely doing that.”

The contrast between the two endings–the dream and the reality–underscored what my narrative project had made me realize was my only question: Had I overvalued perfection? Even if I had achieved the 99, would my 4.0 have been worth so much sacrifice?

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to become a national merit semifinalist.

PSAT Info and Strategies , College Admissions

Every October, about 1.6 million juniors across the country take the PSAT . Those who score in the top 1% achieve the distinction of National Merit Semifinalist. Most of these students move on to become National Merit Finalists , with some winning scholarship money for college.

Being named a National Merit Semifinalist is a huge achievement along the path to college. Let’s take a look at what you need to do to become a National Merit Semifinalist.

Basic Entry Requirements for National Merit Semifinalists

To become a Semifinalist and be eligible for a National Merit Scholarship, you must meet the following four requirements set by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) :

Be enrolled as a high school student, progressing normally toward graduation. This just means that you’re taking and passing a normal number of classes and expect to graduate on time.

Plan to enroll full-time in college starting the fall following high school graduation. In other words, you can’t postpone college to spend a year abroad, work full-time, and so on.

Be a U.S. citizen or lawful U.S. permanent resident planning to become a U.S. citizen.

Earn a top PSAT score. The definition of a "top" score varies by state , but generally you'll need to score in the top 1% of juniors to qualify.

But what PSAT score do you need exactly? Keep reading because in the next section we explain exactly how high your PSAT score needs to be to qualify you for Semifinalist status.

National Merit Semifinalist Qualifying Scores

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. The NMSC's Selection Index ranges from 48 to 228 and is based on PSAT section scores. There are two PSAT section scores (one for the Reading and Writing section and one for Math). Each section score ranges from 160-760.

To calculate your Selection Index, you simply double your Reading and Writing score, add that to your math score, and then divide the sum of those numbers by 10.

Let's say you got a 690 on Reading and Writing and 530 on Math. To find your Selection Index score, first multiple your Reading and Writing score: 690 x 2 = 1,380. Then, add this to your Math score: 1,380 + 530 = 1,910. Lastly, divide that sum by 10: 1,910 / 10 = 191. This gives you a Selection Index score of 191.

As you'll see in the chart below, a 191 Selection Index score isn't high enough to qualify for National Merit Semifinalist status. Instead, you'll need a Selection Index of 207 or higher, depending on where you take the test.

Based on reports from individuals around the country, we've put together a comprehensive list of qualifying PSAT Selection Index scores. Check out the most recent state cutoffs for National Merit Semifinalist in the chart below. These were used to pick out Semifinalists from the October 2021 administration of the PSAT.

As you can see, scores vary depending on where you take the test. Cutoffs regularly vary a few points between years, so if you haven't taken the PSAT yet and are aiming for National Merit , set your target Selection Index about 2-5 points higher than the predicted cutoff for your state.

After you take the PSAT, there's nothing more you can do to be named Semifinalist until the results are announced. The NMSC notifies eligible students in September the following school year.

Disappointed with your scores? Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points? We've written a guide about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

What Are the Steps to Becoming a National Merit Semifinalist?

You now know the requirements for becoming a National Merit Semifinalist, and you have a plan to get a top PSAT score. But what are the actual steps to becoming a Semifinalist? The process begins early in your junior year and can last all the way until the end of your senior year. Below is an outline of the key steps you'll need to take to become a Semifinalist.

Junior Year

October: take the psat.

You’ll take the PSAT in October of your junior year. Because you'll be competing with about 1.6 million juniors, it's important to study diligently for the PSAT (as you would for the SAT or ACT) by taking official PSAT practice tests and targeting your weaknesses in your prep. (We give you more PSAT prep tips in the next section.)

Remember, only the top 1% of juniors qualify for Semifinalist status, so you'll need to be at the top of your game on test day!

Aiming for a National Merit Scholarship but worried your score won't qualify? If you're not sure you can self-study your way to a qualifying PSAT score, you'll love our PSAT prep program, PrepScholar .

We designed our program to learn your strengths and weaknesses through advanced statistics and customize your prep to be as effective as possible for you. When you start with PrepScholar, you’ll take a diagnostic that will determine your weaknesses in over forty PSAT skills. PrepScholar then creates a study program specifically customized for you .

To improve each skill, you’ll take focused lessons dedicated to each skill, with over 20 practice questions per skill. This will train you for your specific area weaknesses, so your time is always spent most effectively to raise your score.

We also force you to focus on understanding your mistakes and learning from them. If you make the same mistake over and over again, we'll call you out on it.

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December: Receive PSAT Scores

You’ll typically get your PSAT scores in early December , about six weeks after you take the test. While you'll be able to see how well you scored and whether you meet your state's most recent National Merit Semifinalist cutoff, remember that these cutoffs can change slightly each year, so you won’t know for sure whether you're a Semifinalist until the beginning of your senior year.

Winter/Spring: NMSC Determines High Scorers

During this time, the NMSC determines the 50,000 high scorers who qualify for the National Merit program.

Senior Year

September: semifinalists announced.

In early September of your senior year, you’ll finally learn whether you’re officially a National Merit Semifinalist or not. Of the 50,000 high scorers determined, 16,000 will become Semifinalists, and the remaining 34,000 will be recognized as Commended Students (but won’t move forward with the National Merit Program).

Fall: Apply to Be a Finalist

After you’ve been recognized as a Semifinalist, you’ll begin the Finalist application process . To apply, you’ll need to submit the following materials:

• High school transcript
• SAT scores (must be received by December 31)
• Information about your activities and leadership roles
• A personal essay
• A recommendation from your high school principal, or someone the principal designates as a school official
• Information about your school’s curricula and grading system

There’s no official cutoff for SAT scores or GPA, but the NMSC is looking for strong grades and test scores to prove that your PSAT scores weren’t just a fluke.

February: Finalists Announced

In February, 15,000 of the 16,000 Semifinalists are named Finalists and can apply for National Merit Scholarships.

March: Scholarship Winners Announced

Finally, 7,250 of the finalists learn that they are National Merit Scholarship winners. Each winner receives a $2,500-a-year National Merit Scholarship, a corporate-sponsored scholarship, and/or a college-sponsored scholarship.

How Do You Get the PSAT Score You Need to Become a National Merit Semifinalist?

Alright, so you’re going to need an amazing score on the PSAT in order to meet the National Merit Semifinalist cutoff. Getting that score can be tough, but follow these three tips as you prepare in order to get your best PSAT score.

#1: Take Practice Tests

Doing well on the PSAT is all about preparation. Studying the content and format of the test is the best way to bring your score up.

Some people are natural test takers, while others stress under pressure. Regardless of how you react to timed tests, preparing with high quality, relevant materials is the best way to position yourself toward top scores.

Since the College Board makes the PSAT, its online practice questions are a great place to start. You can take full-length practice tests for free in the Bluebook App . This is the very best way to practice realistic testing conditions now that the PSAT is delivered digitally . 

If you’re looking for a bit of off-screen practice, though, printing off official PSAT practice tests can still be great practice. Below is an official practice PSAT you can use for free. You can also find more free and official PSAT practice tests in our guide.

• Official PSAT Practice Test 1 — Score Your Test — Answer Explanations

Older practice tests can be helpful for your prep, too! Just keep in mind that the format of the PSAT changed in 2023. Before, the test had three sections: Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. Now there are only two sections—the Reading and Writing and the Math. These older, official practice tests are still a great way to prep for the PSAT, but keep those changes in mind.

• Official PSAT Practice Test 2 — Score Your Test — Answer Explanations
• Official PSAT Practice Test 3 — Score Your Test — Answer Explanations

Take these practice tests under typical test conditions: work in a quiet area with few distractions and time yourself in accordance with official PSAT time limits.

Taking timed tests is a skill, and practicing this skill will help you get better and better at the PSAT. Understanding the format of the test will also help you eliminate the potential for careless errors.

#2: Identify and Strengthen Your Weak Areas

It’s not enough, however, to take just one practice test and then immediately move on to the next one. As you’re studying and answering practice problems, try to identify your weaknesses. Are there any patterns in your mistakes? Do you need more practice with Reading questions? Grammar? Vocabulary? Algebra? Probability? Figure out where you need to focus your attention to really strengthen your overall PSAT score.

At the same, you might also be able to push up your overall score by playing to your strengths. The NMSC considers your composite score rather than your individual section scores. For example, if you scored 650 on the Math section of a practice test, it might be easy for you to push that up to 750+. Or if you’re stronger at Reading and Writing, you might be able to add more points to your composite score by focusing your energies on this section.

Just remember that, ultimately, you can’t have any low section scores on the PSAT if you want to become a National Merit Finalist. So try to stay strong across all areas of the test!

#3: Set Goals and Track Your Progress

Becoming a National Merit Semifinalist is a lofty goal, and in order to make sure you’re on track to meet it, you need to know early on what PSAT to aim for and how much progress you should be making.

First, use the above chart to figure out what the cutoff is for your state. You might want to add a point or two just to be safe and take into account any potential increases in the cutoff score.

Once you have your overall PSAT goal score, set smaller goals to accomplish throughout your studying. These can be monthly or weekly goals depending on what works best for your schedule. Some ideas could be to try to develop a better understanding of algebra questions by the end of the week, or to try to raise your total PSAT score 20 points by the end of the month.

No matter your goals, regularly check to see that you’re (on your way to) meeting them. If not, figure out what you can do to improve, such as studying more often or changing up your study methods. Setting regular goals will not only help you stay motivated but will also ensure that you’re making the progress you need to be making to get the score you want on test day.

How to Stay Motivated for the PSAT

In addition to planning how you'll prep for the PSAT, you should ask yourself another important question: how will you stay motivated? Staying motivated is key to sustaining your studying. Why do you want to do well on the PSAT? What drives you?

Some reasons students strive to become National Merit Semifinalists are academic recognition, scholarship money, and getting into college. What are your own personal reasons? Write down your ideas, and look back at this list for inspiration whenever you feel your motivation lagging.

Since the PSAT is closely linked to the SAT , any studying you do now will definitely pay off when you take the SAT. Plus, it’s probably easier for you to find free time now than when you’re immersed in college applications senior year.

Achieving a qualifying score or higher takes a lot of hard work. The benefits of this hard work don’t end when you get a certificate in the mail from the NMSC recognizing you as a semifinalist in September of your senior year.

You can prove to yourself and to others the depth of your commitment and drive by putting your hopes into action and your dreams into determination. After all, this focused, purposeful effort is the key to achieving success in anything you do!

What's Next?

Being named Semifinalist is just the first step. Learn what it takes to become a National Merit Finalist and how to increase your chances of winning a scholarship.

Did you know there are four kinds of National Merit Scholarships and more than 8,000 are awarded each year? Read all about the various scholarships here .

Want to score a perfect SAT score? Check out our easy-to-read guide on how to do just that, written by an expert 1600 scorer .

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points? We have the industry's leading SAT prep program. Built by Harvard grads and SAT full scorers , the program learns your strengths and weaknesses through advanced statistics, then customizes your prep program to you so you get the most effective prep possible.

Check out our 5-day free trial today:

Rebecca graduated with her Master's in Adolescent Counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has years of teaching and college counseling experience and is passionate about helping students achieve their goals and improve their well-being. She graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University and scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT.

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Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

National Merit Semi-finalist Essay Prompt?

<p>“In your own words, describe your personal characteristics, accomplishments, primary interests, plans, and goals. Your essay should be about 500 words.”</p>

<p>Just to let you know there is a physical space limitation on the essay (it needs to be tapes onto the application or written in by hand). The space provided is about 2/3 of a typed page.</p>

<p>Okay, thank you guys very much! :)</p>

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2023 National Merit Finalists: Starting from top left, Bennett Christofferson, Jacob Rushing, Alan Song, Ethan DeLuca, Nathan Zhou, Joseph Britt, Katherine Evans, Nikita Bhaskar, Rohan Dagubatti, Noah Schell, Owen Arneson, Mitchell Harms, Allie Byergo, Shiv Sharma, Wilson Gao

Meet the 2023 National Merit Finalists

Raj Jaladi , Newsletter Editor

Fifteen of Parkway’s 28 seniors named as finalists in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program are from West.   The National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSP) is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. Approximately 1.5 million high school students enter the program annually by taking the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test ( PSAT/NMSQT ). About 1% of the top scorers qualify as semifinalists.

“I am always ecstatic when I see our students excelling.  Announcing to the students that they are semi-finalists and are now up for Finalist standing is one of my favorite days of the year,” comprehensive counselor Jennifer Wibbeneyer said. “Each year, we are blessed to have a large number of students recognized in the program, which attests to all the hard work students put into their studies.  We have had great success in our semi-finalists, all being moved forward to Finalist standing.”

  Once selected as semifinalists, students must complete part of the application providing background information and an essay. At the same time, the student’s guidance counselor has to complete the other half of the application, which requires the principal’s endorsement of the student, a recommendation letter,  the student’s course rigor, grades, extracurricular accomplishments, and personal characteristics. 

“The application process involves a lot and is very detailed.  Students have their portion, and then there is a large portion that the school completes on our end.  So much is at stake, so double and triple-checking the information online before submitting can be a little anxiety-inducing,” Wibbenmeyer said. “I create a checklist and send reminders to students along the way to make sure they are staying on track to complete their portion of the application.  I also make myself available to meet with them to review their portion before submitting it if they would like.  Once submitted, it’s a waiting game, and it is always thrilling when the announcement comes in, and our students are recognized.”

Wibbenmeyer advises students to prepare for the PSAT, keep up the grades, and build and highlight their leadership qualities and activities they are passionate about because the program wants to see a well-rounded student—one who is successful academically but also gives their time to outside activities.

“Start early so you can budget your time and give your all to the details of the application. Students want to stand out and set themselves apart from other applicants.  The essay portion is their time to shine and highlight an important aspect of themselves,” Wibbenmeyer said. “ Also, highlight the big things.  Don’t get lost in trying to mention every little detail of your high school career but hone in on the details and aspects that show your uniqueness, passion and potential.”

For the class of 2023, the NMSC essay prompt was: To help the reviewers get to know you, describe an experience you have had, a person who has influenced you, or an obstacle you have overcome. Explain why this is meaningful to you. 

Here are individual spotlights of the students’ journeys and what they chose to write in their essays.

Owen Arneson

How did you feel when you heard that you were the finalist for the National Merit Scholarship? I was excited. What are some characteristics you believe helped you achieve this award? I am lucky. There isn't much that sets me apart. What is your academic area of passion and why? History. What are you planning to pursue in college? I might pursue history, although I haven’t...

Nikita Bhaskar

How did you feel when you heard that you were the finalist for the National Merit Scholarship? I was really happy. It felt like my hard work paid off. What are some characteristics you believe helped you achieve this award? I studied with Khan Academy before the PSAT, using their SAT lessons to help me prepare. Everyone taking the PSAT should look into Khan Academy's personalized lesson...

Joseph Britt

How did you feel when you heard that you were the finalist for the National Merit Scholarship? I was excited to hear that I had advanced to the next level. It was fun to tell my story and be able to progress in the competition. What are some characteristics you believe helped you achieve this award? I believe my curiosity, perseverance and community involvement were big factors in achieving this award. I'm dr...

Allie Byergo

How did you feel when you heard that you were the finalist for the National Merit Scholarship? I was excited, but more so when I was first identified as a semifinalist. It was cool to sit in a conference room with all of the other semifinalists when we found out we received the award. What are some characteristics you believe helped you achieve this award? Throughout all high scho...

Bennett Christofferson

How did you feel when you heard that you were the finalist for the National Merit Scholarship? Excited because my brother was also a finalist, and I wasn't about to let him hold that over me. What are some characteristics you believe helped you achieve this award? Hard work, perseverance, and the ability to do well on standardized tests (mostly the third one). What is your academic area ...

Rohan Daggubati

How did you feel when you heard that you were the finalist for the National Merit Scholarship? It felt good to complete the whole process and feel accomplished. What are some characteristics you believe helped you achieve this award? In the window before the test, I prepared and felt ready, putting my best effort into the application, ensuring I had good recommendations, and getting...

Kaplan Evans

This finalist declined the interview process.

How did you feel when you heard that you were the finalist for the National Merit Scholarship? It was a welcome surprise, to be honest. I'd completely forgotten about it since I'm busy with other things, so hearing it did bring a smile to my face. What are some characteristics you believe helped you achieve this award? I think some of my stronger points include responsibility and th...

Mitchell Harms

Jacob Rushing

How did you feel when you heard that you were the finalist for the National Merit Scholarship? I was happy and proud of the achievement when I heard I was a finalist. What are some characteristics you believe helped you achieve this award? I generally hold myself to high standards, which has helped me maintain good grades, which is one of the requirements to become a finalist. Over the ...

Noah Schell

How did you feel when you heard that you were the finalist for the National Merit Scholarship? I'm excited, but since almost every semifinalist becomes a finalist, it wasn't too big of a jump this time. What are some characteristics you believe helped you achieve this award? Being a good test taker for a few hours on one random Wednesday morning. What is your academic area of pa...

Ethan DeLuca

How did you feel when you heard that you were the finalist for the National Merit Scholarship? I was happy and somewhat relieved. I knew I would probably become a finalist, but I still worried a bit. What are some characteristics you believe helped you achieve this award? Test-taking skills, definitely. Being able to quickly and accurately move through the questions on the PSAT has got to be th...

Shiva Sharma

How did you feel when you heard that you were the finalist for the National Merit Scholarship? I was pretty excited. I didn't expect it, to be honest. What are some characteristics you believe helped you achieve this award? I'm not sure. What is your academic area of passion and why? I want to be a doctor. Medicine has always been super interesting to me, and there are lots o...

How did you feel when you heard that you were the finalist for the National Merit Scholarship? I didn't feel that excited because most National Merit Semifinalists will become Finalists.  What are some characteristics you believe helped you achieve this award? I believe that the most important characteristic I have shown to get this award is integrity. I believe that integrity is the first...

Nathan Zhou

How did you feel when you heard that you were the finalist for the National Merit Scholarship? I felt really happy that my test preparation had paid off and that the work I'd put into my essay was worth it.  What are some characteristics you believe helped you achieve this award? The time commitment I put into studying and essay writing helped me a lot, as well as being good at taking stan...

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What’s Covered:

• National Merit Semifinalist Cutoffs 2021-2022
• How is the PSAT Scored
• What is the National Merit Scholarship

Scholarships

Next steps for semifinalists.

• How Does the PSAT Impact Your College Chances

Many future college students are familiar with the National Merit Scholarship, a prestigious award that not only impresses college admissions committees but also comes with a merit-based financial award. But which students will actually advance in the competition? Here’s what you should know.

Changes during COVID

College Board has become more flexible with PSAT and SAT administrations and policies during the pandemic. For example, there are additional testing dates, off-site testing accommodations, flexible start times, and no charges for unused tests.

National Merit Semifinalist Cutoffs 2021–2022

Below are the National Merit Semifinalist cutoffs for the class of 2022, who took the PSAT in October 2020 or January 2021.

How is the PSAT Scored?

The PSAT is scored on a scale of 320-1520, with 160-760 per section (the two sections are Math and Reading, and Writing and Language). You’ll also receive specific subscores of 8-38 for Math, Reading, and Writing.

Your raw score, equaling the number of correct responses in total, equated to the score you receive, accounting for any discrepancies between different versions of the same test. 

NMSC uses the Selection Index, ranging from 48 to 228, to identify qualifying scorers for the competition. They will combine your subsection scores and multiple the total by two. 

Discover how your SAT score affects your chances

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What is the National Merit Scholarship?

The National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSP) consists of several different levels and awards. The National Merit Scholarship is an award of $2,500 to be applied to your education at your college of choice.

Commended Students

Approximately 50,000 students out of the roughly 1.5 million program entrants with the highest PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index scores will become Commended Students or Semifinalists. Of these students, about two-thirds are Commended Students based on a national index score and will receive a Letter of Commendation via their scores. These students will not advance in the NMS competition, but they may be considered for other awards. 

Semifinalists

Around one-third of the 50,000 high scorers qualify as Semifinalists. This distinction is based on the highest scores from each state to ensure equal representation. That means that the cutoffs vary from state to state, so a score that qualifies you as a Semifinalist in one state may only make you a Commended Student in another.

About 15,000 Finalists are selected from the pool of Semifinalists based on the criteria discussed below. 

National Merit Scholarship

Scholarship recipients are selected from the Finalist pool of 15,000. In addition to their PSAT scores, Finalists are evaluated on additional skills and accomplishments, without consideration of financial circumstances, first-choice college, or future plans. Approximately 7,600 students (slightly more than 50%) receive this one-time $2,500 scholarship. 

Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards

These scholarships are awarded to the children of employees, community members, or students with specific career plans as specified by the awarding corporation.

College-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards

These scholarships are awarded by colleges that have been designated as the first choices of Finalists. Sponsor colleges select recipients who have been accepted and give them renewable scholarships of varying amounts.

When Are Semifinalists Notified of Their Status?

Semifinalists will be notified in early September. These announcements come through their high schools. If the semifinalist is homeschooled, they will receive notice at their home address.

Finalists are notified if they have won an award on a rolling basis between the beginning of March and the end of June.

What Do Semifinalists Need to Do to Apply to Be a Finalist?

There have been some changes in the process to become a finalist because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, you must still fulfill a majority of the program entry requirements. These include having a consistently exemplary academic record (your school will submit your records on your behalf), submitting an essay, and receiving a recommendation from a high school official. 

You must be enrolled in a U.S. high school with the intention of enrolling full-time in a college or university in fall 2022 or already be enrolled (only for students who completed high school in three years or fewer). If you attend high school outside the U.S., you must meet certain citizenship requirements. You will submit your completed application through a high school official.

While your college choice doesn’t play a role in determining your status as a finalist or scholarship recipient, the NMSC asks for this information because the awards may only be used if you attend an accredited U.S. college or university. You may mark undecided instead of listing your first choice, but the NMSC asks that you update them as soon as possible.

Note: These details pertain to students who are still attending high school in the United States. If you are attending high school outside the U.S. or are enrolled in college full-time, check National Merit’s Requirements and Instructions for Semifinalists in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program .

How Does the PSAT Impact My College Chances?

Your PSAT scores don’t impact your chances of admission. Still, it’s useful to take the test as preparation for the SAT—it will help you familiarize yourself with test structure and content, as well as allow you to identify areas you should focus on as you prepare. Remember that while you can currently apply to most colleges test-optional , often, sending scores will make you a stronger candidate.

Of course, becoming a National Merit Scholar will help your chances of admission, too, and the PSAT is the first step in the competition. Being named as a Commended Scholar or Semifinalist will also help boost your application. While these titles don’t carry a financial award, they’re still impressive to adcoms.

If you’re wondering how your application stacks up, you can use our free Chancing Engine to see your odds of acceptance at over 1500 schools. Using your grades, test scores, extracurriculars, and more, our chancing engine will help you find best-fit schools and refine your application strategy.

What If I Didn’t Score High Enough to be Recognized?

If you didn’t score high enough to be recognized in the National Merit competition, don’t worry! There are plenty of other ways to earn merit scholarships, just as there are many other ways to demonstrate scholastic achievement.

Remember, too, that the NMS isn’t a large financial award anyways. Many colleges offer more substantial awards, so focus on applying to schools where your profile is strong to increase your chances of securing these merit scholarships .

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, national merit semifinalist scholarships: what to expect.

I'm a National Merit Semifinalist, and I'm wondering what kind of scholarships I can expect from this achievement? Do all semifinalists get scholarships, or is it only a select few? I'm really hoping for some financial help for college, so any info is appreciated!

Congratulations on becoming a National Merit Semifinalist! This is a great accomplishment and can indeed lead to scholarship opportunities. There are three types of National Merit Scholarships available: National Merit $2500 Scholarships, corporate-sponsored scholarships, and college-sponsored scholarships. Not all Semifinalists receive scholarships, as there is a further selection process.

To advance from a Semifinalist to a Finalist, you'll need to meet several requirements, which include completing a detailed application, having an outstanding academic record, submitting SAT scores that confirm your PSAT performance, and being endorsed by your high school principal. Approximately 15,000 out of 16,000 Semifinalists move on to become Finalists.

From the 15,000 Finalists, around 7,500 receive National Merit Scholarships. The National Merit $2500 Scholarships are one-time awards given to about 2,500 students. Around 1,000 corporate-sponsored scholarships are awarded to Finalists who meet the criteria set by the sponsoring organizations (these can be renewable or one-time awards with varying amounts). Lastly, around 4,000 college-sponsored scholarships are offered by nearly 200 colleges and universities to admitted Finalists who select their institution as their first choice.

To maximize your chances of receiving a National Merit Scholarship, make sure to submit a strong application with a well-written essay, a solid recommendation from your high school principal, and SAT scores that align with your PSAT performance. It's essential to list a college or university that offers college-sponsored scholarships for National Merit Finalists as your first choice to be considered for those awards.

Remember, there are other scholarships and financial aid opportunities available, so even if you don't receive a National Merit Scholarship, you should explore alternative options to help fund your education. Good luck!

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