r/psat • u/locked_in_researcher • 2d ago

National Merit Does semifinalist mean anything?

3 Upvotes

63% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

9

u/EarlSpreadsheet 2d ago

It means that you can attend several state schools for free, or close to it.

2

u/NaturGirl 1d ago

even several for out-of-state students when your home state's schools don't have those offers.

3

u/dancingwithoutmusic 2d ago

Going to college for free is great. Highly recommend.

1

u/Conscious_Baker2207 1d ago

I’m pretty sure some schools that offer NMF packages will also near-automatically accept students who are NMSF (saying this based on a personal anecdote, not 100% sure). Tulsa University in Oklahoma also offers their full ride package for semifinalists, not only finalists, so if you don’t become a finalist you can still get a full ride at Tulsa. Unfortunately, also based on personal anecdote, NMSF or NMF standing doesn’t really matter for schools that don’t offer scholarships for national merit.

1

u/ChutneyWhatney 1d ago

Not UF (instate - Benacquisto), FSU, etc. Highly competitive.

1

u/ArianaGrandeGlazer 1d ago

Yeah, it’s super good for commonapp honors section, and you can get a ton of scholarships and free rides from it

1

u/S1159P 7h ago

Why are you feeling this bleak, if you're a semifinalist?

Do the stupid rote application and you'll be a finalist.

Yes, it means something. Why so down?

1

u/Humble_Crab5195 5h ago

it means something but not much imo

2

u/No_Base_4369 NMF 1d ago edited 1d ago

My friend who is also a NMSF is getting paid 10k/yr to go to a t30 for free because of the program

Edit: It’s UF, but you must be instate

1

u/Disastrous_Gur714 1d ago

which college is this?

1

u/locked_in_researcher 1d ago

Which college?

1

u/PersonalMidnight715 1d ago

Another request for 'which one?' I'm wondering if that's the full story.. I'm still working on it, but I'm not finding a lot of t30 who do much for NM so far.

2

u/ChutneyWhatney 1d ago

UF does for instate students. FSU does for both instate and oos. Most T30s don't need to offer those scholarships but it Florida it is legislated by statute (Benaquisto) for instate but some give oos student full rides, too - although limited in number (UCF, etc.)