<p>I was a National Merit Semifinalist. Today I got a letter saying that I would not be selected as a Finalist because of my poor grades freshman and sophomore years. During those years, my mom was severely mentally ill. Every minute that I wasn’t in school was spent trying to make sure that my mom didn’t physically harm my younger siblings, and that she ate, slept, and took her medication. Doing well in school was pretty much impossible and I managed only C’s and D’s. She died the summer before my junior year, and though I was sad, my grades improved. Second semester I had the A/B average that the committee supposedly looks for.</p>
<p>I explained all of this in my essay. When I called National Merit and asked why I wasn’t selected, they said it was because of my grades, and I asked if they read all the essays. Them: “GENERALLY, we read the essays.” Uh, what? I’m suspecting they cut me off based on my GPA and didn’t even read my explanation.</p>
<p>The woman on the phone explained that I could appeal their decision. I’m going to try: have my guidance counselor write a letter, send them my transcript again, write another essay for them.</p>
<p>I don’t want this decision reversed out of vanity. Scholarship money comes from being a Finalist that doesn’t come from just being a Semifinalist. My family is already having a terrible time trying to meet the EFC, and I can’t go to a decent public college (which would be less expensive) because they cut people based on stats before even glancing at essays.</p>
<p>If the decision is reversed, I will be able to go to a decent private college and get merit aid. If the decision is not reversed, I will probably have to go to community college. I don’t want to take on a massive amount of debt because I KNOW I’m not going to be able to pay it back without accruing massive interest (the career I’m interested in is low-paying).</p>
<p>Is it possible to get this decision reversed? I know National Merit has the right to do what it wants. I know that. But I’m really mad because I’m screwed for two years because they could not spend two minutes on an essay.</p>
<p>I would say attack from all angles. Bombard them with phone calls, faxes, e-mails, and MULTIPLE letters until you get a human response that shows that they know what you mean. Your case is definitely legitimate. Get your guidance counselor, vice principal, and even your principal to write in, fax, & call. If you can get them on your side (which shouldn’t be too hard given your situation), you will have a better chance. Good luck!</p>
<p>I think PoloPlayer’s approach is too aggressive. Don’t bombard, but see if you can get your guidance counselor, college counselor, and/or principal to go bat for you. </p>
<p>This certainly seems like a case where a review is warranted. Since there <em>is</em> an appeal procedure, I would take advantage of it.</p>
<p>National Merit money is really small. I would focus on writing essays to win scholarship money. Check scholarship.com, the financial aid/scholarship departments of the colleges you are interested in, etc. You would end up with more money and your energies could be directed into a winning (for you) situation. Additionally, when you fill out CSS and FAFSA, be sure to have your parents include the expenses of your mother’s illness (meds, therapy, hospitalizations) that were not covered by her health insurance. Private colleges will often bump up need-based monies when they look at the additional family burdens ( not credit debt or mortgages). It worked with my daughter’s friend. Her brother attends a private school and has been involved in therapy. All of these unusual expenses were explained and the private college provided an aid estimate that made the school no more costly than a public college You would need to be able to verify the expenses, however.</p>
<p>NM merit money IS quite small, but many participating schools supplement the NM money with more merit. D received the $2500 in NM money + another 10K from the school because of NM</p>
<p>I thought that they were letting people know if they were finalists or not until mid Feb, 08. Are you sure it is not some sort of error? In any case, if it were a real letter, I would second poloplayer’s approach.</p>
<p>NM money is HUGE if you choose to go to the schools which give full tuition scholarships for it. Don’t give up on this. Have your school officials go to bat for you. Make sure they understand the full scope of what you were dealing with at home. Good luck.</p>
<p>I would appeal. Probably most who don’t move on to finalist know that they shouldn’t but your situation really has merit. I am very sorry for what happened to you. It is difficult enough with the family stresses, without all the financial burden. I would also appeal your efc with your universities as they take into consideration death of parent etc. I commend you that under such stress you excelled and became a semifinalist. If the National Merit Committee did not read the essays very thoroughly they may have judged you too harshly. You are in my prayers.</p>
<p>Dear Randomname: My deepest sympathies on the loss of your mom. What a legacy she has left behind! You would make any parent proud for your strength of character. My advice is to write a letter to the editor of your local newspapers and TV stations. Publicize the situation. The National Merit Committee should be ashamed of themselves.</p>