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does anyone know what it takes to be a national merit commended scholar? I got a 203 on the PSAT and my percentile is like 96. I also got that letter to send it to two colleges last year, does that mean that I have a good chance to be commended? thanks.

By Northstarmom (Northstarmom) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 06:07 pm: Edit

From what I can figure out, the cutoff for NM commended usually is about 200.

By Jrpar (Jrpar) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 08:13 pm: Edit

It was 201 for last fall's test (2003)

By Bigsteve121 (Bigsteve121) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 08:37 pm: Edit

I believe (not sure though) that the commended student cutoff is top 5 percent in your state, so 96 may make it. However, i think that they alredy came out so...

By Jrpar (Jrpar) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 09:45 pm: Edit

Commended cutoff is 201 nationally.
Semifinalist status is determined by state, with different cutoffs for each state.
With a 203 you are definitely "commended" - check with your guidance counselor for the official confirmation. (Only those with at least commended status were asked to designate the two schools earlier this year.) The commended "certificates" are given out by the schools, and not mailed to you directly. My son just got his commended certificate two days ago.

By Dallasasian (Dallasasian) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 05:37 pm: Edit

My school is a little "different." My principal is VERY sports oreinted so that everything else takes a backseat. My calculus teacher told me that me has a list of who made commended scholar, but she is not allowed to say anything yet because the principal hasn't said anything yet. grrr. so close...:P I hate the uncertainty.

By Justlaugh (Justlaugh) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 12:13 am: Edit

Should we bother to put this on our apps? Or would it actually look bad??

By Dr_Juris (Dr_Juris) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 12:17 am: Edit

Ad coms would just laugh.

By Moocow961 (Moocow961) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 12:53 am: Edit

I dunno, i was commended wit a 202, but i doubt i'll put it on my app. Unless you're a semi-finalist, it probably doesn't look too good if you're applying to top tier colleges.

By Wunderkind__Not (Wunderkind__Not) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 12:54 am: Edit

it would not look bad, and I strongly encourage that you do. i hate how people on this website give misleading or bad advice in an effort to weaken others and their accomlishments.

By Pkit (Pkit) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 12:56 am: Edit

u guys who say not to put commended on your college app are fools. end of story.

By Maverick27 (Maverick27) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 02:28 pm: Edit

sorry, i have to hijack this thread cuz my comps screwing up and i cant post a new one...

just a couple quick Qs...

Since the collegeboard says that Algebra II isnt going to be on the new PSAT, can i assume that permutations and combinations and sequences and series isnt going to be on the test?

if it is, then can someone explain when i should use the permutations formula and the combinations formula? all the textbooks say basically the same thing, to look for situations when "order matters", but i dont know how to recognize when it does. can someone explain how they break these problems down in their heads? thanks

and also, is it a big deal if u dont receive semifinalist standing (aka miss the cutoff) but u do good on ur SATS, esp if ur aiming for the "ivies" and such?
(ok, i know its not a HUGE deal, but i have no experience with how much it matters, so i was just wondering. if anyone has any insight, please share.)

thanks

By Journkid (Journkid) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 09:32 pm: Edit

Why in God's name wouldn't you put it on your application? You think it looks bad if it's on there, imagine what they might think if it's NOT on there. They may assume that you didn't do very well, even though you did. I know there are many people just at my school who would kill for commended status. To act like it's something horrible is selfish and misguided and actually almost arrogant. To not put it on your application is crazy.

I got a 204 on my PSAT, but then got a 1450 and 1500 on my SAT, Maverick. I think as long as you show improvement and still hit the SAT "sweet spot" that you'll be fine. They use the SATs in admission, not the PSAT. It's mostly used for scholarships and the like. Some schools (Princeton I know for sure) look for Semifinalist or Commended status, but it's icing, not a large component.

By Rmac43 (Rmac43) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 09:34 pm: Edit

My sentiments exactly, Journkid

By Jedi_Jaina (Jedi_Jaina) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 09:54 pm: Edit

I was commended with a 210. They handed out certificates last week in assembly with much fan-fare. Getting into college rules all at my school. I missed my state's semi-finalist cutoff by 2 points (d'oh!) Why would you not put being commended on apps? How could it ever hurt you?

By Sherwin (Sherwin) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 12:34 am: Edit

I got a 198 on my PSAT and then got a 1570 on the SAT I (I only took three practice tests as prep) and an 800 on the Writing, I don't really have a way of portraying that as imporvement though...

By the way are things like AP Scholar with distinction worth putting down?

By Kyip (Kyip) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 01:44 am: Edit

So it doesn't matter what state you're in--201 is the cutoff. California has an outrageously high cutoff score of 214-216 (Well, for me...it's high).

If so, I'm so happy. Last year I fell asleep halfway through and couldn't concentrate, but scraped by with a 190 as a sophomore.

By Mail4nrs (Mail4nrs) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 08:50 am: Edit

Is the annoucement for commended scholar already out. I am curious because my son haven't got any letter yet. Please advice.

Thanks

By Texas137 (Texas137) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 11:09 am: Edit

"commended scholar" means you were in the top 5% of students taking the PSAT. That's something to be proud of! If your SAT score is also in that range, I would definitely include "commended scholar" as an award. But if you have plenty of other more significant awards to list, or your SAT score is in a significantly higher percentile(like top 1-2%), you might consider leaving it off. Leaving it off just looks like you didn't take the PSAT.

By Laurenh87 (Laurenh87) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 11:39 am: Edit

I don't know if I'm a commended scholar or not. I received a letter from my principal last year i(spring) telling me to choose 2 schools to send the info to (I think b/c I was commended?) but I don't remember my score and I didn't get a certificate. Was I commended? (Asking sounds so dumb but I truly don't remember!)

Thanks

(By the way, I think I was over the 200 mark)

By Texas137 (Texas137) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 12:24 pm: Edit

Lauren - sounds like you were commended, or maybe even semi-finalist (except you didn't get a packet to advance to finalist). Ask your counselor.

By Maverick27 (Maverick27) on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 06:32 pm: Edit

permutations/combinations/sequences and series on it?

thanks journkid