National Merit Scholarship Program: A Comprehensive Timeline and Guide

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition in the United States that recognizes and rewards outstanding students for their academic achievements. Each year, the program provides scholarship opportunities to high-achieving students. Being named a Scholar is the highest academic recognition you can achieve from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). The competition is open to all students who meet the entry requirements. This article provides a detailed timeline and guide to help students navigate the National Merit Scholarship Program, from taking the PSAT/NMSQT® to potentially receiving a scholarship.

Initial Qualification: The PSAT/NMSQT®

The first step in the National Merit Scholarship Program timeline is taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®). This test serves as the initial screening process for over 1.5 million students each year.

When to Take the PSAT/NMSQT®

Timing: Students typically take the PSAT/NMSQT® in the fall of their junior year (11th grade). Students completing high school in three years or less must be in the last or next-to-last year of high school when they take the test.
Administration: The test is usually administered at the student's high school.

Preparing for the PSAT/NMSQT®

Sophomore Year Preparation: It's advisable to begin preparing for the PSAT during your sophomore year to familiarize yourself with the test format and content.
Practice Tests: Take official PSAT practice tests to get a feel for the test and to see what you need to focus on.
Study Tips: Focus on improving your critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills.

Understanding the Selection Index Score

Calculation: The NMSC uses the PSAT/NMSQT® as the initial screen. NMSC® will look at your Selection Index Score on the PSAT/NMSQT® to determine if you are a Semifinalist. The Selection Index score is calculated by adding the critical reading, math, and writing skills scores, then multiplying the sum by two.
Commended Students: In the spring of the junior year, NMSC determines a national Selection Index qualifying score for "Commended" recognition, which is calculated each year to yield students at about the 96th percentile (top 50,000 highest scorers).
Varying Scores: Selection Index qualifying scores for Semifinalist standing vary from state to state and from year to year. Each state is allocated a percentage of Semifinalists based on the percentage of that state's graduating seniors out of the nation's total. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation does not release to the public the minimum qualifying score required per state.

Semifinalist Standing: Notification and Requirements

After taking the PSAT/NMSQT®, the next step is to await notification of your Semifinalist standing.

Notification Timeline

Timing: Students learn of their Semifinalist standing in early to mid-September of their senior year in high school.
Communication: Principals communicate these results to their students, though some misread the NMSC materials and do not release them until the NMSC press release, which comes in mid-September.

Requirements for Semifinalists

Academic Record: You must have a record of consistent high academic performance in grades 9 through 12 and in any college courses you may have taken.
SAT or ACT Scores: Your SAT or ACT score must complement your PSAT/NMSQT® performance.
Application Submission: Semifinalists will apply for Finalist standing around mid-October of their senior year.
Recommendation: They must also demonstrate a strong academic record, receive an endorsement and recommendation from a school official, and earn SAT scores that confirm their qualifying test performance.

Finalist Standing: Application and Advancement

To be considered for a National Merit Scholarship, Semifinalists must meet certain requirements to advance to Finalist standing. Approximately 15,000 of the 16,000 Semifinalists advance to Finalist standing.

Application Process

Detailed Application: This includes submitting a detailed scholarship application, which encompasses essays and information about extracurricular achievements, awards, and leadership positions. For your application, think about what story your extracurricular activities and community service tell. Do they show a progression to a position of leadership? Next, consider your letter of recommendation. How strong is it?
Supporting Documents: The application requires high school courses and grades, extracurricular and volunteer activities, and a self-descriptive essay.
SAT Score Confirmation: Take the national SAT reasoning test and earn scores that "confirm your PSAT/ NMSQT® performance." It is your responsibility to file a request with the College Board SAT Program to have an official report of your SAT score sent to NMSC.

Notification of Finalist Standing

Timing: Semifinalists who meet academic and other requirements will be notified that they have advanced to Finalist standing and will receive Certificates of Merit attesting to their recognition in the program. Those who do not advance to Finalist standing are notified in January. Colleges are not notified of who does or does not advance in the competition; therefore, please notify us if you advance to Finalist standing so that we can upgrade your scholarship award offer.

Scholarship Awards: Types and Selection

Of the 15,000 Finalists, about 8,000 receive Merit Scholarship awards. Finalists may list a “school of choice” at osa.nationalmerit.org by April 30 of their high school senior year. A Finalist could receive one of three sponsorship offers.

Types of Awards

National Merit $2500 Scholarships: All Finalists are considered for one of the 2,500 National Merit $2,500 Scholarships. These scholarships are funded directly by NMSC®. National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners are the finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state's percentage of the nation's graduating high school seniors.
Corporate-sponsored Awards: About 1,100 Merit Scholarship awards are provided by corporate sponsors for Finalists who meet criteria specified by the sponsor. These corporations can be found at nationalmerit.org/sponsorship. Most of these awards are for children of the sponsor's employees, for Finalists living in a particular geographic area, or for Finalists who have career plans the sponsor wishes to encourage. Corporate sponsorships are generally given to students with family ties to a NMSC® partnering corporation. Those receiving the Corporate or NMSC® sponsorships will be notified in late March or early April.
College-sponsored Awards: There are also approximately 4,600 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards for Finalists who plan to attend a sponsor college. Finalists report to NMSC their first choice college (College-Sponsored Merit Awards). These awards can range from $500 to $2,000 in value, and some colleges may award even more merit-based awards. Students should contact the school directly to discuss their merit-based financial awards.

Selection Criteria

Academic Record: The academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned.
Standardized Test Scores: Scores from two standardized tests.
Contributions and Leadership: Contributions and leadership in school and community activities.
Essay: An essay written by the finalist.
Recommendation: A recommendation written by a high school official.

Choosing a College

College Choice: College choice is the school that you designate with NMSC® as the school that you plan to attend. You can select your college by submitting it online.
Priority Deadline: Since NMSC® begins making College-sponsored awards on May 1, OU's priority deadline for finalists to receive our National Merit® scholarship is April 30.
Sponsoring Institutions: OU is a sponsoring institution, but not all colleges are.
Undecided Status: If you have "undecided" listed as your college choice before our April 30 priority deadline, or if you received a corporate or national-sponsored award, name OU as your college choice to receive our scholarship.

Post-Selection Steps

Notification: Those receiving the Corporate or NMSC® sponsorships will be notified in late March or early April.
Designation of College: By the end of May, students who previously listed “undecided” or who received a Corporate or National-sponsored award must designate OU as their “school of choice” at osa.nationalmerit.org to receive OU’s National Merit financial package.
Enrollment: To receive a scholarship payment, a Merit Scholarship winner must (a) notify NMSC of plans to enroll in a college or university in the United States that holds accredited status with a regional accrediting commission on higher education, and (b) plan to enroll full-time in an undergraduate course of study leading to a traditional baccalaureate degree. NMSC scholarship stipends are not payable for attendance at United States service academies, distance learning programs, and certain institutions that are limited in their purposes or training.
University of Oklahoma Specific Steps: After you are admitted to OU, you will have a post-admissions checklist to complete. You will find information on all these steps in OU Bound, which you can access by logging in to the OU Bound portal. To be guaranteed OU’s National Merit scholarship, admitted Finalists must designate OU as their “school of choice” or list “undecided” with NMSC® by April 30. Those who complete a housing application and submit an enrollment deposit by May 1 can participate in room selection. Housing room selection access times will be determined by your enrollment deposit date. During room selection, you and your roommates can choose your room. Visit housing.ou.edu to learn more about your housing options and view our housing FAQ page. Students can review the academic calendar to note important dates and deadlines for the semester.

Timeline Summary

To provide a clear overview, here's a summarized timeline of the National Merit Scholarship Program:

Junior Year (Fall): Take the PSAT/NMSQT®.
Senior Year (Early to Mid-September): Receive notification of Semifinalist standing.
Senior Year (Mid-October): Apply for Finalist standing.
Senior Year (January): Notification of whether you have advanced to Finalist standing.
Senior Year (Late March/Early April): Notification of Corporate or NMSC® sponsorship (if applicable).
Senior Year (April 30): Deadline to list "school of choice" with NMSC®.
Senior Year (End of May): Deadline to designate OU as "school of choice" for those previously listed as "undecided" or received a Corporate or National-sponsored award.

Tips for Success

Prepare Early: Start preparing for the PSAT/NMSQT® early in your high school career.
Maintain a Strong Academic Record: Focus on achieving high grades in challenging courses.
Engage in Extracurricular Activities: Participate in extracurricular activities and seek leadership positions.
Cultivate Relationships with Teachers: Obtain strong letters of recommendation from teachers who know you well.
Research Sponsor Corporations: If applicable, research sponsor corporations and be aware of your parents' employment.
Meet Deadlines: Pay close attention to all deadlines and ensure you submit all required materials on time.

Criticism and Controversy

The National Merit Scholarship Program has faced criticism regarding its selection process and the impact of standardized testing.

Transparency: FairTest (National Center for Fair and Open Testing) has voiced concerns about the level of transparency in the National Merit Scholarship Corporation's selection process.
Reliance on Standardized Tests: NACAC charged that eliminating 99 percent of test-takers from the National Merit Scholarship competition solely on the basis of a multiple-choice, standardized exam was "at odds with best practices in the use of admissions test scores".

Read also: Eligibility for National Awards

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