PSAT scores received yesterday & Q about My College QuickStart

[Michelle in MO]

We finally got dd's scores. They weren't shabby by any stretch, but not NM (according to the link). Stinks.

 

If your dd's scores were high, she will get good attention from colleges! The National Merit Finalist scores are very high, and it's a difficult standard for most kids to attain. Colleges are still looking for kids with a good, solid academic background, and I believe they'll give kids who received high PSAT scores a shot at other scholarships.

 

Be encouraged, and give yourself and your dd a pat on the back!

[LisaKinVA]

Look at the requirements for state merit scholarships! My father was not a National Merit Scholar, but he was a California Merit Scholar -- got a full ride to Stanford because of it. Other states probably have similar programs (and opportunities).

 

Lisa

[Pamela H in Texas]

Thanks Lisa. I got all sorts of offers as a teen and she's been in contact with some of the best universities in the country (those that I thought only perfect kids got into). She has different plans, but it's nice to have such wonderful options. We definitely need to look into scholarships though.

 

Thanks :)

[Kimm in WA]

Where do you find the cutoffs for the state merit scholars?

 

Thanks,

Kimm in WA

[Kimm in WA]

I had my 10th grader take it as practice w/o any prep so I get a "baseline".

 

What do you all recommend for studing for the PSAT? How long should I allow if he's gonna take it "for real" next fall?

 

The report says to add a zero at the end of his score to estimate his SAT score, but what IS a good SAT score?

 

TIA!

Kimm in WA

[Michelle in MO]

Where do you find the cutoffs for the state merit scholars?

 

Thanks,

Kimm in WA

 

Here's a link to the cut offs for the Class of 2009 and 2008. Just scroll down the page a bit. The cutoffs for the class of 2010 are not yet published.

 

http://www.collegeplanningsimplified.com/NationalMerit.html

 

Thank you, MaryM!

[Kareni]

The report says to add a zero at the end of his score to estimate his SAT score, but what IS a good SAT score?

 

That's the $64,000 question! (or is that dating me?)

 

A good score varies depends on what your child would like to do. If your son has an idea of what college he would like to go to, look to see what the SAT scores are of the entering freshmen. The information is usually fairly easy to find on a college's website, or you can get one of those tomes on many colleges at the library or bookstore and look up colleges of interest.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Kimm in WA]

Thanks for the state info - I had misread what that info was.

Kimm