Psat Commended Scholar: What is it Really About?

Hey folks, been reading up a bit about this 'PSAT Commended Scholar' and it's got me intrigued. Can anyone break it down for me? Like, what does it mean and how can it benefit me when it comes to college admissions?

The 'PSAT Commended Scholar' status is given by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) to students who earn top scores on the PSAT/NMSQT, but who do not meet the cutoff for National Merit Semi-finalists in their respective states. The cutoff scores vary by state and from year to year based on the scores of the top testing students. Each year approximately 34,000 high school students across the U.S. receive Commended status.

Now, as for its impact on college applications, typically, on its own, Commended Scholar status won't greatly sway admissions decisions as it might for Semi-finalists or Finalists. However, it is still a prestigious designation and a testament to your academic abilities, so it can definitely enhance your academic profile. You can include it as an academic honor on your college applications.

One important point to note: While the NMSC doesn't provide scholarships to Commended Scholars, some universities and private corporations do. So you could potentially earn some additional scholarship money based on your Commended status.

But remember, every element of your application contributes to the overall picture colleges are reviewing. High test scores are important, but they're just one part of your overall academic and extracurricular profile. And don't forget the power of a well-written essay or the impression a high-impact extracurricular activity can make!