@sunnydo165 The benefit to being a NMSF is you were able to include that on the apps and colleges know finalist status isn’t announced until after app deadlines so it’s a nice mention on an app. The benefit from semi-finalist to finalist is the money some colleges will give finalists. If the schools you are interested in do not give students money, semi-finalist to finalist is of no difference to you. Some colleges will give scholarship money to semi-finalists. It really depends on the schools you are interested in. Not being named a finalist will not impact your chances of admission at any school.
@orwellparasiempre NMSC sent out letters in January to individuals that were not advancing to finalist citing either grades or insufficient SAT score. Schools will be mailed letters tomorrow (2/6) with certificates for the finalists. Letters will be mailed to the students home on (2/13). It looks like you are in good shape but should know definitively soon.