FYI, you all probably already know this, but the confirming score is officially 1960. I asked about that a couple months back and NMSC confirmed it for me.
In past years, the prevailing opinion was that if you didn’t receive anything from NMSC by the end of January you could safely assume you were in the clear for NMF. The mailing to the HS will contain the Finalist certificates, which each school will distribute to the students however they choose. Some will pass them along immediately, some will hold them until senior awards night, graduation, etc. It all just depends on the individual school.
Our D1 (Class of '11) received her Finalist letter at home right around the middle of February. Our mail is not normally slower than average, but there were people posting here on CC for at least 3 days about receiving their letter before hers arrived here. The waiting definitely stinks, but a month or less from now and we’ll all know for sure. We’ve all survived 15 months of the process so far…at least the end is in sight. 
FYI, I just learned that I am a finalist (yay) from Walgreen’s (they offer a corporate scholarship for children of employees). I had 1 C in AP Calc, so hopefully this year one C doesn’t matter? Good luck everyone
Ah, so secret information is out there, LOL! Congratulations @4everEpical, don’t forget those you leave behind in the Big Wait, 
. Thanks for sharing your news, and the hope for those with that rare C on their transcript. Best wishes to all. Our mailbox only held a reminder card for a missing transcript. I’ll have to get on my kid’s case for that later.
I’ve been looking all over the web for any instances of ANYONE getting a rejection yet this year and there’ s nothing out there, literally nothing. A little strange that there wouldn’t be some mention of one if they did indeed go out by now. Hmmm.
@PAMom21 lol don’t worry! Knowing me, I will probably be checking this forum everyday until I get the actual certificate, knowing how paranoid I am about these things.
Congratulations!
This is from a handout from OU: “Generally, students with a 1300 reading and math score and a 1960 total combined score paired with a 3.5 GPA (unweighted) will advance, but this may vary depending on additional factors as determined by NMSC.” I thought it was interesting but I don’t know how accurate it is. But, FWIW, OU seems to be completely up to speed on all things NM.
Barfly, that is interesting. D’s HS generally has at least 20 NMSF. In her graduating class 2 years ago there were 2 who did not advance and they were the only 2 with GPA(UW) below 3.5. Knew that because 3.5 is the break GPA for the lowest level of graduation honors. I assumed it was chance, that they had C’s and the others didn’t, but maybe this is another determining factor that explains why some students reporting here with 2 C’s advance and others don’t.
Comforting to think that there might be a method to the madness. Seems unfair to penalize the kids who challenged themselves by using unweighted gpa, though.
@Cshecmia, I know that the counselors have to check whether the student took the most rigorous courses available, and also NMSC sees the transcripts of the students showing AP, DC and Honors classes. So I suspect those are some of the “additional factors”, along with the essay, rec letter, etc.
Well, being home schooled, I don’t technically have Honors or AP classes, though I do have dual enrollment classes (straight As so far on those.)
Well, January 20th and no rejections. Good news for all, I hope!
Well, I am kind of shocked, given what I’d read about 15k of 16k advancing to Finalist status (at least I think that’s what I’ve read many places), to hear today that S did NOT advance to Finalist. He has a 2170 SAT and a 4.36 weighted GPA at a challenging high school. Something different going on this year?
I am sorry, @phantomranger, that really does stink. I have no idea.
So sorry, @phantomranger.
Oh @phantomranger I’m so sorry to hear this! I know this must be hard for you but could you share some more information? What was you S’s unweighted GPA, how many (if any) C’s or D’s. Any disciplinary record?
Could it be a mistake? Can you contact someone and ask why he’s not moving on?
Thanks @3scoutsmom @deborahb and @Barfly . We shall see. From reading other forums, I think maybe it is the fact that he has, I believe, one (or possibly two–I need to review the transcript) C’s on his transcript. No disciplinary record. Will also update later with unweighted GPA.
@phantomranger, I am incredibly sorry to hear this news! I hope you will consider an appeal, if your DS has schools on his list where NMF Scholarships are essential to his ability to attend.
Also, I would like to thank you for taking time to post here amidst everything you must be feeling at the moment. We are checking the mailbox every day and it is pretty hard to do. I have not seen any other CC posts about a student not advancing, so at least I know that letters have been mailed. Our mail comes at the end of the day, so I am bracing myself for this.
Please keep us posted if you decide to appeal, and best wishes to you and your DS. Again, I am so sorry.
Thank you @GoAskDad for your kind words. We really are kind of reeling because I thought this was in the bag due to his scores, overall GPA, etc. One of S’s schools is the Honors College at Arizona State, whose scholarship offer would double with Finalist status; if this decision stands, that very attractive school is out of the running, I’m afraid. We are going to look into an appeal to see what that might involve. If anyone has suggestions on that, or can direct me to some, I would be appreciative!
@phantomranger we will be in the same boat as you. I am feeling now like we may receive a rejection as well. DS is aiming for CFU and their scholarship is full-ride vs. $25k out of state tuition, which is going to knock him out of that plan. I would also be interested in hearing info about appeals, if anyone can post on that.