<p>Well, I just read something else by one of those experts, and here is what she said: (This is by Mom2CollegeKids, who is a wealth of knowledge on CC! 
It looks like those C’s could be a problem…</p>
<p>"6) What are the qualifications to go from NMSF to NMF?</p>
<p>After you’ve been named NMSF, you’ll have some paperwork to fill out (now done online, I believe). You’ll have an essay to write as well.</p>
<p>YOUR SCHOOL will have to fill out a recommendation and include a copy of your grades/transcript.</p>
<p>If you have good grades (usually no more than 1 or 2 C semester grades), you haven’t been a discipline problem, you have a SAT over the minimum (1960+), you’ve sent your SAT to NMCorp, you write a decent essay, then you’ll make NMF.</p>
<p>7) When are students named NMF?</p>
<p>Students who have been named finalists will be notified in Feb of senior year.</p>
<p>8) When are rejected students notified?</p>
<p>Rejection letters are sent out the first week in January of senior year."</p>