Can my son appeal National Merit decision?

<p>My son got a letter yesterday informing him that he did not advance to NM finalist standing. This is due to some bad grades (two D's) junior year. However, he was diagnosed with an unusual medical disorder and is now on medication which is helping him considerably. Would it be worth it to appeal this decision? They may not even reconsider him due to these grades, even though now he is being treated his grades have improved drastically.</p>

<p>photobug…I’d say it’s absolutely worth it to appeal NMSC’s decision…unless you’re in a financial position where potential scholarship funds ranging anywhere from $2500 to $100K plus is something you’re willing to forego. I don’t know what universities your S is considering, but I sure wouldn’t close the door on ANY of the NMF monies until I absolutely had to. I don’t know anything about the appeals process or what your chances of success would be, but I’d sure give it a shot!! Good Luck!!</p>

<p>P.S. It’s possible that his NMSF status may still qualify him for a large scholarship at Alabama, if that’s a school that interests him. If I remember correctly from last year, D1 was offered a full tuition scholarship based on being named an NMSF which increased to a full ride once she reached NMF status. Mom2collegekids would be a better person to ask regarding this point. She’s a GREAT source of info for all things Bama scholarship related.</p>

<p>Bama will still give full tuition for him, but I’d defintely appeal regardless of his choice of school. Call NMcorp and see what they can do.</p>

<p>^^^</p>

<p>To clarify…</p>

<p>Unless he applied by Dec 1st, he wouldn’t get the full tuition for NMSF status at Bama. Bama only gives leeway for that deadline to those who make NMF. </p>

<p>However, yes, appeal with some back-up info…medical diagnosis and possibly a more current transcript.</p>

<p>Thanks for the info. Has anyone out there heard of someone appealing successfully? We certainly have a medical diagnosis and his senior year grades are back on track…he didn’t apply to any schools that will offer him a full ride (like Alabama) but we were certainly hoping for some merit aid as well as the “status” NMF would give his applications.</p>

<p>^^^</p>

<p>Someone on another thread posted the they had a successful appeal based on grades. It involved contacting NMCorp and getting the school GC involved.</p>

<p>BTW…what was the date of your son’s letter and the postmark date of the envelope…you got your letter much later than the others.</p>

<p>Got it Friday (Jan 20th), mailed on Jan 16th.</p>

<p>Hmmm. Now I no longer feel safe TT</p>

<p>What region of the country are you in? >.></p>

<p>Oh, jeez… is it common for a rejection letter to be mailed this late?</p>

<p>Crap, im scared now :(</p>

<p>Sent from my DROID Pro using CC App</p>

<p>January 16th was MLK day - it was a postal holiday.</p>

<p>Your son should consider the Honors College at the University of Mississippi. UM will honor his status as National Merit Semifinalist awarding him a very nice scholarship. If he does advance to Finalist, there could still be hope for Honors admission even though the deadline has passed (January 15th). Check it out at [The</a> Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College - The University of Mississippi - Ole Miss - Oxford, MS](<a href=“http://www.honors.olemiss.edu%5DThe”>http://www.honors.olemiss.edu).</p>