How many National Merit semifinalists are in Texas?
Its 14 Semifinalists represent 6% of its class or 6x the national average and 3x that of Medical Center rival DeBakey High School. Awty International School and Kinkaid School rounded up the top 3 Houston private schools with approximately 4% of their seniors being named Semifinalists.
What PSAT score do you need to be a National Merit Scholar in Texas?
220
National Merit Semifinalists Selection Index Scores
State | Selection Index |
---|---|
South Carolina | 213 |
South Dakota | 210 |
Tennessee | 215 |
Texas | 220 |
How do I know if Im a National Merit Scholar semifinalist?

When and how are students notified they are Semifinalists? Semifinalists are notified through their schools in early September. Semifinalists who are homeschooled are notified at their home addresses. See the National Merit® Scholarship Program page for additional information about the program.
Do colleges care about National Merit Semifinalist?
Your SAT and ACT scores are far more important to colleges; your National Merit status does not add much new information. However, having a high number of enrolled Semifinalists is seen as a badge of honor at some colleges and will factor in their admission decisions.
How prestigious is National Merit semifinalist?
Gaining recognition as a National Merit Semifinalist is a prestigious achievement to include on college applications, and many colleges and corporate sponsors offer special scholarships to these students, even if they don’t become finalists.

Is being a National Merit finalist a big deal?
National Merit Scholarships provide $2,500 towards the student’s freshman year of college. Even better, winning this scholarship (or being a finalist) is prestigious. Some colleges even boast about the number of “National Merit Scholars” they enroll.