National Merit Commended vs Semifinalist: What's the Difference?

Hey guys, I'm a junior and kinda new to the whole National Merit Scholarship thing. Can someone explain what the main differences are between being a National Merit Commended student and being a Semifinalist? I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

Hello! Sure, I'll break down the main differences between a National Merit Commended student and a Semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

1. Qualification: To be considered for either of these designations, you must achieve a high score on the PSAT/NMSQT taken during your junior year. Each year, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) establishes a Selection Index score that serves as a threshold for Commended students and Semifinalists. The exact score varies each year and differs by state.

2. Commended Students: Those who score above the Commended Student cutoff, but below their state's Semifinalist cutoff, are designated as Commended Students. Commended Students represent the top 3% to 4% of test-takers nationwide and are given a Letter of Commendation. However, they don't advance in the scholarship competition.

3. Semifinalists: Semifinalists are a more select group, representing the top roughly 1% of test-takers in each state. These students move on to the next round of the competition and have the opportunity to become National Merit Finalists. To do so, each Semifinalist must submit a detailed scholarship application that includes their academic record, activities, leadership roles, an essay, and a recommendation from a school official. They must also present an SAT or ACT score (if required) that corroborates their PSAT/NMSQT score.

4. Finalists and Scholarships: About 15,000 Semifinalists, or around 90% of Semifinalists, advance to become Finalists. A total of 7,500 of these Finalists win National Merit Scholarships, which come in three different types: corporate-sponsored scholarships, college-sponsored scholarships, or NMSC's own $2,500 scholarships. Commended Students, on the other hand, are not eligible for National Merit Scholarships but may qualify for other scholarships via the NMSC or external organizations.

In summary, the main differences between a Commended Student and a Semifinalist are the level of achievement and the opportunities for scholarships within the National Merit Scholarship Program. Semifinalists represent a more competitive tier and have the chance to compete for National Merit Scholarships, whereas Commended Students receive recognition but don't advance in the competition.