<p>So…in all my wisdom I didn’t pull out my Ntl Merit semi-finalist papers until about two hours ago. I’m stupid. I wasn’t thinking. People as stupid as me shouldn’t be semi-finalists. Yes, I realize that. Feel free not to mention it in the comments. </p>
<p>Oh. Freaking. Crap. </p>
<li><p>I’m in college (a year early). I did mainly correspondence school for high school. I don’t really have any high school teachers that know me that well. My recommendation won’t be that great. </p></li>
<li><p>I will be getting the forms to the school late. They’re going to love me for it, I’m sure. The earliest I can possibly send the forms to them to fill out is Oct. 1st. They’re supposed to send them in on Oct. 12. Again, they’re going to love me for this. How strict is Ntl Merit on deadlines? Given my luck, I’m sure they won’t give a lick about my sob story. </p></li>
<li><p>I have to write an essay. this is probably the least of my problems. It’s only 500 words, and I can prob. rework my college app essay. still, an essay is an essay. </p></li>
<li><p>I need my parent’s sig. My parents are overseas. </p></li>
<li><p>I need to get my SAT scores sent. This should be as easy as calling CB, but still…</p></li>
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<p>So yeah. Feel free to tell me I’m stupid (which I already know) and/or chime in with advice on any of the above problems. I have a feeling I might be screwed, which is really rather upsetting.</p>
<p>you got thursday and friday to get CollegeBoard’s answer. At least you have some time. We’ve heard students on this forum saying that they or school completely forgot about NM. </p>
<p>Not much we can do or can say. As they say, Ball is in your court until, Monday.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Ask the NM people who you should get recs from if you are not a traditional student then contact those people immediately and explain the situation and get it to them ASAP. Maybe you can fax the forms or email it to them?</p></li>
<li><p>While you are on the phone to the Nm people ask them what you should do as your parents are out of the country. Is it possible to contact your parents and again fax the forms to them and have them fax them back. Check with the NM people that that is OK.</p></li>
<li><p>Get online now and order your SAT scores to be sent priority to the NM people.</p></li>
<li><p>Stop panicking - it can paralyze you. Calm down- do the above. Then when that is all under control sit down and start your essay. Good luck.</p></li>
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<p>If your college does not have a fax machine you can see places like mail boxes etc and kinkos generally do.</p>
<p>You do not need to worry about sending your SAT score if you have already taken the SAT I. The last acceptable SAT I score, I believe, is either the Nov. or Dec. one. You can just request CB to send your score to National Merit.</p>
<p>If original signatures are needed, Fedex, Airborne et al have air express around the world. You can also send in a copy of your SAT score report, “with official score report from CB to follow…” But, do call the NMerit folks, in IL, I believe. They are vey nice and helpful, but not sure they’ll provide much flexibility on deadlines.</p>
<p>Talk to NM and see if this is OK…it might not be. If it were, any student could sign any parent’s name. This is called forgery…and if it’s not OK with NM than you really could be in trouble.</p>
<p>Call NM with your questions. They are the only ones who can answer them.</p>