@PPuggle same at our school. Public, but by no means big. My girl was the ONLY NMSF. There was a blurb of one line in an email newsletter sent to parents. We were told she would be recognized on the televised school committee meeting that month (September) and at a student assembly where they had other students to recognize for a variety of achievements. The NEVER followed through. Not a single announcement. So, I highly doubt anything for NMF if we get the anticipated letter. Yet athletes are recognized daily—even our teams that can win a game to save their lives. I called her counselor (whom I love) and told them they were to contact me before my child, and I would come to the school to present it to her. I don’t feel the principal should get the honor when he hasn’t cared less throughout the process. Oh, but I do get lip service of how much farther in life the bright kids will get than the athletes and, therefore, deserve the recognition—yet they fall flat!
Has anyone from Virginia heard about being a finalist? GCs at my school are not very helpful.
I’m really surprised how few schools recognize the kids. I really thought it was just ours. The private schools locally all make a big deal out of it as does our charter school for Math/Science. When I was a NMF so many years ago, it was a small town and I was written up in our local newspaper.
Anyhow, still no recognition from the school on social media or otherwise but at least the principal called all 6 NMSF at our school to her office today to give them their certificates. So it’s official and I don’t have to wait another week for our mail to arrive. I haven’t heard anything about recognition at a school board meeting.
Congrats to everybody made it to NMF! My son is NMSF, with SAT 1600, still has not hear anything from school or by mail, finger crossed. big public school in Houston, TX,
@Raytx we are in Austin and JUST got the certificate in yesterday’s mail (homeschooler) so it may be the mail is coming later to TX. The letters to finalists should be arriving sometime within this week or next. Unless your son has lower grades or had any discipline issues he should easily move on to finalist. In the letter that goes the principal (me in this case) they ask for you to contact them immediately if any of the finalist had a significant drop in grades between now and September or they can no longer be recommended (I am assuming because of behavior). But I would think students will still get the letter and it just means that they aren’t going to be considered for scholarship funds if either those two things are an issue.
@Jennibc, Good morning and thank you so much for your early reply! I am worrying too much as it is too important to me to support him financially. DS’s grade should be slightly improved, and maybe it is the principle who does not care (big school) and delays the notification.
No letter yet in KY. Am quite stressed b/c we are relying upon my daughter’s ACT score as the confirming score. She had a complete panic attack in the SAT and barely missed the mark. So worried!
We are also awaiting a letter/status update in Georgia. The school (small, private) hasn’t received anything yet. FSU with Benacquisto is one of my son’s top choices.
@RayTX @BtownJA I know it’s hard to wait for the Finalist letter to make it real, but if your kids didn’t get rejection letters by now, take a deep breath, they are good. I’ve never heard of them sending more rejection letters after the Finalist certs have been mailed to schools.
Thanks so much - it makes a big difference to my daughter - we can’t send her to the out of state school she wants without it!
Didn’t know they sent out rejection letters earlier - this is my first time through this process. I will try to stop obsessing now!
We are in Georgia. Son found out he’s a finalist from his counselor this morning. Very proud of him!
At this point of the game, will NMSC confirm over the phone for those that are worrying?
Daughter finally found out this morning she is a finalist! Even though logically we knew by now she would be, it is still a relief to get the paper confirming it. Now we just wait for UCF and UF acceptances. Proud parents here in MN!!!
@Icky19 did she receive it in the mail or did she find out from her school?
do y’all think natl merit will post a press release, like they did last week re: school mailing, saying that they have mailed letters to finalists’ homes?
i called a few weeks ago when rejections had just been sent, and they confirmed that it was too early to call at that time. they said to call back a week or so after letters had been mailed to homes if i had not heard yet. of course, you might get someone else when you call who takes pity on us worrying parents and tells you your status on the phone. lol!
Since letters have been mailed to students, maybe they will tell you now. 
@lkg4answers She was told by the school. Also, I didn’t see a letter in informed delivery today.
Our school refused to tell kids. I hope no rejection letter means we are good.