From NMSC materials:
“February 6: NMSC mails notification to high school principals about the stats of their Semifinalists; a Certificate of Merit is provided for each Semifinalist who qualifies as a Finalist.” So it sounds like all that is going in the mail this coming Monday. Seriously hope there is a way for the principals to find out earlier!
Another schematic with a timeline says: “Semifinalists who do not advance to Finalist standing are notified” for January 2017. January-February says: “15,000 Semifinalists advance to Finalist standing; their Certificates of Merit are sent to high schools and selection of Merit Scholar awardees begins”.
Finally, “February 13: NMSC notifies Finalists of their status at their home addresses”. Not sure how that comes about but previous conversation has said it’s by mail. Does it ARRIVE by Feb. 13th or is the letter SENT OUT Feb. 13th?