<p>Anyone know how to file an appeal of a National Merit Finalist rejection? S denied based on grades; he has a 78 and a 79 from freshman year. We have doctor's record of a diagnosis of depression from that time period. Any idea if that might be the basis of a successful appeal?</p>
<p>Are you saying that he has ONE C and it’s from freshman year?</p>
<p>What are the rest of his grades? What is his GPA?</p>
<p>I’m reading 2 semester C’s with documented depression. How many B’s? </p>
<p>I’m not familiar with the appeals process, sorry.</p>
<p>My daughter got her letter yesterday saying that she would not be moving on to Finalist status. Quite a shock - she has a 3.6 GPA and 2360 SAT with lots of AP courses etc.</p>
<p>She does have two Cs and I called the NM office and they confirmed that it was because of this that she had been denied progression in the competition.</p>
<p>I was told you can appeal by having the school send a letter explaining the reason for the lower grade. You will also need to submit an up-to-date transcript. We plan to appeal. The rep I talked to said appeals had been successful, but not to hold out too much hope.</p>
<p>Good Luck to you!</p>
<p>@mom2collegekids, unicameral2013, 3.3 UW, 4.41 W. @Ruzanne…Sounds like my conversation w/ NMSC. School agreed to write letter today; counselor writing w/ principal addendum. Worth a shot.</p>
<p>Something else I gleaned from my conversation w/ NMSC is that they are getting LOTS of calls…maybe it’s always that way, but it sure sounds to me like there are some very shocked people posting on these boards…maybe the first wave of change for NM responding to criticism?</p>
<p>Son got the letter today. We are not appealing. We do not see the point. Out of the five schools to which son is applying, four do not give NMF scholarships. So, he will not be making scholar, even if he made finalist. We think the NMSF title has served its purpose in the application process. We are not sure what the NMF will do for him at this point.</p>
<p>perazziman, it could help if he is waitlisted. But it does sound like they are being tougher this year, and could potentially get a lot of appeals. We are avoiding the mailbox until late in the day at our house this week. :(</p>
<p>Two schools on DS’s list are out of reach w/o NMF - Baylor and OU. Even their “top” scholarship makes those schools way too expensive for us. My husband and I are both teachers. S wants to go to med school. We think it’s crazy to go deeply into debt for UG, then spend a fortune on med school! Fortunately, he does have a very nice scholarship to UTD if the appeal is a no-go.</p>
<p>I bet no one who is homeschooled is ever rejected for grades.</p>
<p>fredsfam are you in Texas or Oklahoma?</p>
<p>Perazziman, I am so sorry to hear that. Do you think it was a grade issue with your child or is it unclear why he did not make finalist? We are still waiting to hear for my son.</p>
<p>jennieling, thanks. I think if you have not gotten a letter by now, your son is safe. so a guarded congratulations to both you and your son. :)</p>
<p>Honestly, I have not called to find out, why he did not move to the next round.There was considerable weakness in his freshman year. I believe there were 2 Cs. He had transferred from a very weak school system into a very competitive high school. He came in with an SAT of 1180 in 7th grade Duke tip. So, he is quite lucky to make NMSF (219).</p>
<p>Perazziman, it is certainly an honor for your son to have made NMSF. Also, I think that is helpful in the admissions process. My son’s college (he was accepted ED) does not link up with Natl Merit, and only a small fraction of all finalists get the one-time $2500 scholarship (and I don’t work for one of the corporations that link up with Natl Merit), so I doubt that my son will be a “scholar” either, even if he does make finalist.</p>
<p>Perazziman, we are in Texas.</p>
<p>You might try ACU in Abilene. D was offered full Tuition, plus some housing $ for being named semifinalist…(at least we assume that was the major reason why. She is number 2 in her class and number one also applied was not offered same package)
I believe they have a good history of getting students into med school.</p>
<p>fredsfam, do you know about the B on time program in TX that pays $29,600 over 4 years?</p>
<p>Perazziman, I have heard a little about the Be on Time, but need to find out more about it. With 27 hours of AP/dual credit, he’d better graduate in 4 years!! He has a scholarship to UTD for over $70,000, and full tuition and fees at UT-Tyler already, so yes, I do believe the NMSF is a huge advantage.</p>
<p>OOPS, didn’t mean to post, meant to PM.</p>
<p>No problem; I’m thinking there are people who know me who’ve probably already figured out who I am on here! Anyway, B on time loan says must be eligible for federal aid. Believe it or not, teachers make too much to be eligible.</p>