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National Merit Finalist (Class of 2019) - rejection/acceptance letter

texaggietexaggie Registered User Posts: 147 Junior Member
in National Merit Scholarships
NMF rejection letter this week(2nd wk) or next(3rd wk) week?

I am trying to stop worrying about rejection and start looking forward to February's acceptance letter. Thanks,
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Replies to: National Merit Finalist (Class of 2019) - rejection/acceptance letter

  • kdnmomkdnmom Registered User Posts: 26 Junior Member
    In prior years there were lengthy threads about this but not so much this year for some reason. From what I've read in those threads, rejection letters were mailed in the middle of the month (1/16 last year, IIRC) and started being received right after MLK day. If you don't get a rejection letter by the end of January, you're probably safe.

    Anxious here, because DS19 is "on the bubble" since he has a C on his transcript (one semester, AP Euro, Freshman year). UW GPA 3.7, Weighted 4.4 in a challenging IB program, but you never know if that one C will kill you...
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  • ReebtoorReebtoor Registered User Posts: 173 Junior Member
    edited January 11
    @texaggie Thanks for starting this thread! Last year's letters were dated Jan 16th and the first one received was on Jan 18th with most arriving at homes the following week. The information I have doesn't list when the letters will be sent this year.
    MLK Day was 1/15 last year & is 1/21 this year, so I don't know if that will change the mailing date or not.
    The schedule I have in front of me from NMSC says notification to high school principals will be mailed Feb 4th with letters to Finalists at their home address being mailed Feb 11th.
    Last year, mailing date was 2/5 with the first letter received (by a homeschooler - so the principal mailing) was 2/7. There were some Finalists who received their letter at home before their school notified them.

    @kdnmom Good luck to your S19! What state are you in?
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  • kdnmomkdnmom Registered User Posts: 26 Junior Member
    Reebtoor, thank you! We're in Florida.
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  • RanipetgirlRanipetgirl Registered User Posts: 89 Junior Member
    edited January 14
    There is a post on cc that says that their kid has gotten a rejection letter already.
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  • mountainmomof3mountainmomof3 Registered User Posts: 500 Member
    Ok - now I will be obsessively checking USPS informed delivery....
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  • KatzHerderKatzHerder Registered User Posts: 66 Junior Member
    @mountainmomof3, I triple checked today's informed delivery already. I'm right there with you!
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  • mountainmomof3mountainmomof3 Registered User Posts: 500 Member
    @KatzHerder - I “think” S19 is fine (1570/3.98/4.3) but when so much money is riding on this final step, I just want official notice. (Which I realize is later but for now I will settle for no news is good news.) I first learned of informed delivery following last year’s thread. Best thing ever!
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  • texaggietexaggie Registered User Posts: 147 Junior Member
    @Ranipetgirl could you copy link about reject cc post.

    so far, so good! No mail from NMSF.. Good Luck everyone.
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  • RanipetgirlRanipetgirl Registered User Posts: 89 Junior Member
    edited January 14
    @texaggie I am not sure I am doing this right. Here is the link
    https://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/2121433-how-to-file-an-appeal-of-a-national-merit-finalist-rejection.html#latest
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  • RanipetgirlRanipetgirl Registered User Posts: 89 Junior Member
    Nothing in today's mail
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  • texaggietexaggie Registered User Posts: 147 Junior Member
    If snail mail was received in East Coast today(Monday 14th), most mail should distribute by Wed/Thursday.

    For South/SW, biting my nails for next two days....
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  • homerdoghomerdog Registered User Posts: 3,793 Senior Member
    Why would someone be rejected? Is it always grades? And is it usually a C that’s the problem?
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  • ReebtoorReebtoor Registered User Posts: 173 Junior Member
    @homerdog Usually, at this point, the assumption is grades. Not submitting a full Finaliat package could be a reason, especially not having/submitting a qualifying SAT score, but I don't know if those kids actually get the rejection letters or if they just never hear back since they didn't finish the process.
    A bad letter of recommendation could theoretically be an issue - or a disciplinary issue - but the student should know about that I would assume.
    There have been several cases of Cs being mentioned as the reason for not making Finalist status. One yearlong or semester C might do it, but some have been able to achieve Finalist with those grades. That's why some kids "on the bubble" ask every year.
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  • kdnmomkdnmom Registered User Posts: 26 Junior Member
    I've been hitting refresh on Informed Delivery all morning. Nothing from National Merit so far. Fingers crossed!

    Any other "on the bubble" parents/students out there? Good luck!
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  • texaggietexaggie Registered User Posts: 147 Junior Member
    @kdnmom I don't think your Senior is 'on the bubble' and here is why?

    According to requirement and instruction 2019 NMSP.
    "noticeable decline in your academic performance during the current year" - that's current year, not 9th grade.

    5. Have a record of consistently very high academic performance in all of grades 9 through 12 and in
    any college course work taken. Your school must provide a complete record of high school courses
    you have taken, grades earned, and course work you will take in grade 12. The school should also
    notify National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) of any noticeable decline in your academic
    performance during the current year. If you are now in college, high academic performance must
    continue and must be documented by an official transcript of your record (see instructions on page 2
    of this document).

    CC, Thanks for all your Informative posting and support, it a big help.

    All that busy High school work and too many application deadlines, one or more can trip up.

    1. NMSF requirement (semi-final)
    2. Enrolled in school for last semester
    3. Citizenship
    4. Endorsed Principal/Counselor Lor
    5. High academic 9-12 (current year - most important)
    6. Not submitting 4 Page Application in time Oct 10th
    7. Pass SAT & make the Dec deadline

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