@Kayak24 nary a word. But there’s a thread for that!
the Feb. 5th is the date that notifications and certificates are mailed to the schools, per NMSC link.
The Feb. 12th doesn’t specify but we know from last year that those are sent regular mail. D17’s letter is dated Feb. 13th and arrived in our mailbox several days after that. But she already knew because the principal informed her.
For those in the know for your schools, do your schools do anything special for NMF? Ours does a blurb and group photo in the school newsletter, and I believe NMF are highlighted at the honor graduate breakfast in May. NMSF already had a special recognition ceremony at a school board meeting; in S’s school typically all NMSF move on to NMF so I’m not sure if they’d do another such ceremony since it’s usually the same group. Some years one or two NMSF do not become NMF but 100% passage is more common.
@FSUdad93 - I noticed that you started this thread back in August talking about Harvard and the NMF full ride schools for your S18. I’ve been lurking since last Spring, and have started to come out of my shell a bit as we get closer to the finish line, both to share a little of the knowledge I have acquired and to more aggressively solicit info and opinions as we get closer to my S18 needing to make a decision. His profile seems similar to your son’s, although I seriously doubt my S18 will get in to HYPSM. I struggle with whether the prestige and connections associated with a HYPSM degree are worth the $300K it would cost for a family not eligible for need based aid when one could receive a concierge-like educational experience for basically free as an honors college student at a school that has dedicated significant resources to recruiting NMFs.
You seem to know more about SB4 than anyone else here, and it was the discussion about it early in the Fall that turned me on to the possibility, and caused me to encourage my son to throw in an application to UF, which he would not have otherwise done. Of course, all bets are off if it doesn’t become law by May, but there is no reason at this point in time to think that won’t happen!
Question – where are you now in the process, and assuming SB4 becomes law, which would you choose between a lower ranked full ride NMF school, such as UCF, and UF? Clearly UF is way more highly ranked (one of the best state schools in the country), but S18 is concerned that there is no institutional focus on NMF (in addition to the concern I raised in my prior post that funding could be reduced or killed before he graduates – see what happened to Bright Futures over time as commitment to the program waned). OTOH, UCF, a much lower ranked institution, has made a huge commitment to NMF in terms of resources, attention, dedicated Honors College, etc.
Assuming either Harvard isn’t an option or finances overwhelm the prestige of the Ivy League as a consideration, how would you advise your S18 (or mine!) vis-a-vis UF (a very highly ranked state flagship with no institutional support for NMF and an honors program, as opposed to an honors college, but with the State of Florida footing the bill for a full ride) and less prestigious schools that have made an institutional commitment to recruiting and supporting NMFs?
Thanks in advance for sharing your wisdom!!! All bets are off if you are committed to Harvard, but I’m going to assume based on your lengthy posts that you are avidly tracking SB4 for a reason!! 
That’s a really great question, @NJDad00. Thanks for coming out of the shadows!
@NJDad00, your comment “I struggle with whether the prestige and connections associated with a HYPSM degree are worth the $300K it would cost for a family not eligible for need based aid when one could receive a concierge-like educational experience for basically free as an honors college student at a school that has dedicated significant resources to recruiting NMFs.” really resonates with me. We’re in the full-pay zone but not so wealthy that $300k is nothing to us. We could afford it but we have to really consider the value gotten in return for that outlay. Now our son can get a degree for almost no cost and is planning to study computer science, a degree that is very employable with no need for a prestigious school name on the diploma to get very nice jobs.
I also am very aware that H and I attained our affluent status because of our engineering degrees from a state school. So that also colors my perception of the value proposition of full pay at HYPSM, Caltech, CMU, etc.
To throw in my 2 cents- I have 2 kids at UF who are graduating with engineering degrees this year-debt free. It’s definitely something to really think about. I don’t know where my S18 will wind up, but the Benacquisto scholarship is very enticing. I also know that he’ll lose it if his GPA goes under 3.0, which is very possible in engineering. Just waiting…
State engineering programs are oftentimes top-notch. It’s probably not necessary to attend a Harvard, Princeton, CMU or NU for that. While connection to an elite alumnae network is helpful, skill set and the “smarts” signal of getting into a math and science - intensive program of study probably trump “connections” in terms of getting a great first job. From then on, it’s probably all about your last job,
If the goal is to obtain a liberal arts degree, on the other hand, it’s very helpful to choose the most prestigious school as those alums tend to be in high places with active recruiting on your campus. Within the definition of “liberal arts”, however, some majors are still more “smarts”/“skills” - oriented than others and, all else, equal, will have a more obvious payoff on the job market regardless of alumnae connections.
No ding letter yet…
The U of Idaho called today to let me know that finalists get a “full ride”. It was a voicemail, so I’m not sure if it really is a full ride or if it’s available to OOS students, but something to consider.
Yeah finalists at the U of Idaho get a full ride (even OOS).
I go to UF and was a NMSF a couple years ago but didn’t make the finalist cut. The only downside to the Benacquisto is you will lose the scholarship if you drop a course after drop/add ends. So you have to absolutely choose your courses wisely and succeed in courses to keep the scholarship and keep the GPA up.
Reaching the home stretch on NMF…Good luck everyone.
@xpd600090 do you know the expected notification date?
Letters are supposed to be mailed to the principals on 2/5/2018, the letters to the Finalsist the next week. If you haven’t received a “Bad” letter by the end of next week I think you’re safe. in fact, I think if you haven’t received anything yet you’re probably safe.
I am a newbie here and have really appreciated the wealth of education and shared experiences with National Merit. I apologize if this is a researable question- but I hav not found a clear answer. Of the semi finalists who make finalists, what is the criteria for receiving a $2500 scholarship? And if anyone knows- if Univ of Miami is listed as School choice, what kind of $ scholarship is reasonable to hope for?
@srqchic , I don’t think there is a set criteria for the $2500, but I suspect it is based on the highest test scores. Are you a Florida resident? Benacquisto will get you about $33,000 at Miami as a NMF. And it looks like the Fla legislature is about to extend Benacquisto to OOS NMF too.
Thank you @vistajay - now I really sound uninformed but what is OOS?
Out of State residency
Thank you. Yes, Florida resident.