Hey there, I was just wondering about the National Merit Scholarship Program. Does anyone have any idea about the cutoff for National Merit for my class (Class of 2024)? Trying to estimate my possibilities!
The National Merit Scholarship Program determines its cutoffs based on the PSAT/NMSQT scores of the top 1% of test-takers from each state. While it's not possible to predict exact cutoffs for the Class of 2024, you can look at the previous years' cutoffs to get a rough idea for your state. Keep in mind that cutoff scores may fluctuate a few points from year to year.
For the Class of 2023, cutoffs ranged from around 209 to 223, depending on the state. More competitive states like California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey typically have higher cutoffs, while less competitive states may have lower cutoffs. To estimate your possibilities, you can compare your PSAT/NMSQT score to the recent cutoffs in your state. If your score is near or above the cutoff for the past years, you'll have a stronger chance of qualifying.
As a reminder, National Merit Semifinalists are selected based on their scores, but to compete for scholarships as a Finalist, you'll have to meet additional requirements, such as submitting an application with an essay and having a strong academic record in high school.
Good luck!
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