Differences between National Merit Commended Scholar, Semifinalist, and Finalist?

Hi everyone! I'm a little bit confused about the levels in the National Merit program. Can someone explain the differences between being a Commended Scholar, Semifinalist, and Finalist? How do these distinctions impact college applications and scholarship opportunities?

Hello! I'd be happy to clarify the differences between a National Merit Commended Scholar, Semifinalist, and Finalist.

1. Commended Scholar: Students who earn this designation have placed in about the top 34,000 scorers on the PSAT (out of over 1.5 million test-takers). This recognition doesn't come with any monetary awards, but can still strengthen a student's application and show colleges a high level of academic achievement.

2. Semifinalist: Semifinalists are part of the top 16,000 scorers on the PSAT. To become a Semifinalist, a student must meet state-specific score cutoffs, which usually means scoring in the top 1-2% of PSAT takers in your state. If you want to see what the cutoff has been in recent years for your state, I'd check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/national-merit-cutoffs/. Although Semifinalists don't automatically qualify for scholarships, being named a Semifinalist can open doors to additional scholarship opportunities from colleges and other sources.

3. Finalist: To become a Finalist, Semifinalists must submit an application that includes a transcript demonstrating a strong academic record, an essay, a recommendation, and a high SAT or ACT score to confirm their PSAT performance. From the 16,000 Semifinalists, about 15,000 become Finalists. Finalists can compete for National Merit Scholarships worth $2,500, and may also be eligible for additional corporate-sponsored and college-specific scholarships.

While all three distinctions positively affect a college application by showcasing a student's strong test-taking abilities and overall academic prowess, the benefits increase as one moves up through the levels, and to be eligible for the financial benefits, you generally must be a finalist.

Remember, though, that being a National Merit Commended Scholar, Semifinalist, or Finalist is just one aspect of a college application. A well-rounded application should also include strong grades, extracurricular achievements, and well-written essays, in addition to these distinctions. Especially at more selective schools, no single credential will guarantee acceptance on its own.

Good luck with your college journey!