<p>Brandon's mom: Hope you hear soon. The principal notified my D and other NMF yesterday.</p>
<p>I'm kinda glad our school website doesn't post students' test scores. That seems a little weird. </p>
<p>But we found out today about finalist, the two from my school both advanced.</p>
<p>I wonder if sometimes schools "downplay" achievement with regard to standardized test scores, specifically the PSATs, because it doesn't involve anything on their part. In other words, they might take greater pride in their number of AP scholars, or their basketball team winning districts, because these things were done under the tutelage of their own teachers/coaches. Whereas on the PSAT, there's minimal, if anything, the school has actually done to impact those scores in the short run. If there was, every student would be getting perfect 800's.</p>
<p>Another part of the problem may be that test scores are not a team sport like mock trial or debate.</p>
<p>My son is on his HS's very successful Scholars Bowl team and that gets little attention even from the parents. Very few even show up for the competitions. I wouldn't miss one for the world.</p>
<p>After the GC told me this morning that the high school had received nothing as yet regarding finalists, I called the National Merit Corp. They said: a) the school itself will have to contact them next week if they still haven't received anything; b) that they couldn't release information to parents over the phone at this time; and c) that they mailed letters to the finalists homes yesterday. ... I still strongly suspect the school notification is mouldering on our principal's desk, unopened.</p>
<p>I know what you mean, bethievt. Both of my girls were on their school academic teams, and it was every bit as much fun to show up for the quick recall events as it was to attend a soccer game.</p>
<p>Wow, Hindoo, I now wonder why they told my dad to call back this afternoon. The lady he spoke with this morning even gave him her name. </p>
<p>Wonder if that was a putoff - if so, they don't know my dad! lol</p>
<p>He would never bully anyone for an answer, but he will try to hold her to her word.</p>
<p>Brandon's mom--It could just be that the woman I talked to didn't want to be bothered, and that I was the one given the putoff! If your Dad get's any info out of them, please let me know!</p>
<p>Not to interrupt the conversation, but I'm just dropping in to say that I got my Finalist letter in the mail today (2/8/2007), and it was indeed dated 2/7/07, so they have been sent out to individual's. I live (as you can see) in the Chicago suburbs, and the NMSC people are in Evanston, so a quick reply for me! Which is great, since god only knows when my school would inform me (you know they got it...they're in the suburbs too!)</p>
<p>Thanks for the info Advantagious. We live in central Kentucky, so we should hear something by tomorrow or Saturday. Assuming my daughter's a finalist.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info! And congrats to all the new finalists!</p>
<p>Well, my dad called Evanston and that lady was VERY helpful. She looked up the lists of Finalists in their computer and Brandon is indeed a Finalist! </p>
<p>Sometimes I don't know how he gets info out of people, but I'm glad he did!</p>
<p>So I guess it depends on who you get on the other end when you phone NM. </p>
<p>And B's reaction? "Okay, fine. I'm going to Lacrosse practice - goodbye." </p>
<p>Kids! Sigh . . .</p>
<p>Congratulations and thanks for letting us know!</p>
<p>Brandon's mom--Congratulations! And I'm envious! I wish your father could have called on my daughter's behalf as well. The woman I talked to simply was NOT going to give me any information. ... As for your son's "okay, fine" reaction--I can totally relate!</p>
<p>So I'm guessing no one else in Texas has heard yet?</p>
<p>This is my first post after months of lurking. But I needed to share with someone that my DD received notification today from the principal of her school that she was a NM Finalist! Hurray!</p>
<p>mommyjosette</p>
<p>Welcome</p>
<p>Congratulations to all of you.</p>
<p>Hindoo</p>
<p>I think it's likely to be ok. Maybe you could call your HS tomorrow. If not, you will get a mailing soon.</p>
<p>I'm consumed with jealousy!! Thanks, bethievt. I'll probably just wait for the mail and wallow in self pity that everyone heard before we did!</p>
<p>Bethievt - you will love this story about my nephew (my only sister's son). The boy is amazing, as your child sounds. National Merit Finalist, 2390 SAT, Presidential Scholar candidate, etc. etc. Sister went to their local paper in Missouri with a photo of the Scholar Bowl team who had won some HUGE event for the 4th time (meaning, they won it every year in high school). The lady at the paper couldn't promise they would put it in, because they never know what stories might take priority. Sister was very gracious although she really wanted to say, "In FOUR years, you've NEVER ONCE put anything in about the Scholar Bowl team - PUT THE BLANKETY BLANK PHOTO IN!!" The next day the photo was not in, but a HUGE photo with front page article about some kid who signed to play football at some "who knows where junior college". </p>
<p>Now my own daughter - our local Kansas paper very graciously put a FRONT PAGE article with photo - very nice. I hate to be nit picky but her eyes are closed in the photo (put a color photo on the front page of the paper of someone with THEIR EYES CLOSED!) and many facts in the story are incorrect. I could have written a better story! Ah well, they tried which is more than most kids get!</p>