C24 and I just returned home from 4 days in Chicago for unified auditions (acting). What an experience! Picture a hotel with hundreds of theater kids, all roaming around, learning about different schools and having auditions. It was exhausting but kind of awesome.
My kid came out really excited about a few schools that they hadn’t loved before, because they had good auditions. We have to wait until March to learn the results, but it was fun watching them have such a great time.
Seniors did chalk art on their parking spaces today. This is D24’s. Caps and gowns were distributed today, too. And they cleaned out their lockers. My mom brain wasn’t ready for all that today. 
In Feb! Godspeed to those Seniors who are still trying to keep their grades up - seems like senioritis would hit hard once you had a cap and gown in hand!
Yes. Knowing the actual price before applying would greatly reduce applications. It’s backwards how we do it. I know of so many families that chose state schools over privates after realizing that colleges expect them to contribute a much larger percentage of their income to tuition than they had assumed.
This has, frustratingly, been our experience. No individual anything, and in fact, obstruction at times.
I had a question for folks here who have experienced something similar in the past. My DC was deferred for EA and is eagerly awaiting RD. They found out they were NMS finalist and the first student in 2 decades to be nominated for Presidential Scholars program at our semi urban school. Should they talk to the College counselor at her school to update the schools they have applied to with this new info or should they write a letter to AO’s to inform them. Thank you in advance
NMS - at what level. Semi or finalist or national recognition based on race etc?
Finalist. ORM.
Big congratulations! Very impressive! You must be beyond proud.
I suggest a short note to the AOs with that update.
Thank you
Student should consider sending email to the schools’ admissions office, cc the HS counselor on the email so he/she is aware of the communication.
D22 received Scholastics awards after submiting her apps. I second emailing the admissions office. Look up (or ask counselor) who your regional officer is and email them directly. A short and polite paragraph suffices, but make sure to give context “I am extremely honored to be the first in my HS in two decades” type thing. Sign with Name, Class, School and MOST IMPORTANT Applicant ID. Subject: Update - Name ID#
Others can input, put I was thinking on the NMF update today. I am thinking this alone does not warrant an update since almost every semi-finalist becomes a finalist? Then again. if its a “track interest” school, it could be worth sending the email. Thoughts on this?
Congrats - if you want to stick with the same schools and not take advantage of the financial largesse elsewhere (ie full ride or near full ride), I’d first look up the schools and national merit finalist and see what they offer.
To some it may not be a big deal. Others may give you nothing, a small or bigger scholarship.
Then if there is a financial incentive, I’d likely call each schools admission office and simply ask - I was just named an NMF, what is the best way to inform you ?
It might be different at different schools.
If you see there’s a financial incentive - say you get an extra $1000 or something, you’ll want to ask what you need to do to get it noted.
If you say - we’re gonna spend $350k but you’re saying we can spend $25k - tell me more. That’s an entirely different conversation altogether.
But personally I’d reach out to each admission office via phone and ask how they want to be notified. But you can email too. But first google the school + national merit finalist so you know in advance what type of award to expect. Good luck.
How/When did they hear? We’re still waiting here. And what’s “ORM”? Congrats to your kiddo!
Thank you , this is really helpful
ORM = Over represented minority
I used the links and the process that was listed Under the NMS thread . See link below. Apparently its not working now.
The school was notified on Monday, the letter will be posted on the portal on Monday. In fact, the letter accessed through the link is dated February 12th.
Regardless, no news is good news because those who did not make it were informed a couple of weeks ago.
Congrats!
My S24 got Coke scholarship today. Not sure if it will help financially as colleges may just reduce the financial aid.
Congratulations!
