I am confused as to how to ask this question because the whole process confuses me.
why does the Nm foundation write to the colleges on three or so separate occasions that the finalist has named them as their first choice? Why are there 3 notices? The last time I spoke with the national merit foundation they said something about three times in which they inform the colleges that the finalist list has named them as their first choice. I think the first notice was sent march 1. What’s the purpose if one may switch their choice just before nm sends the second notification? When is the second notification sent?
The dates and first choice selection process is as mysterious to me as is the mystery of who they select to grant the money.
I agree, this whole process is archaic and convoluted. Who cares if a college is your first choice or 85th choice - if you are going to offer a NM scholarship, just offer it.
I had the impression that the second notification is sent April 1, and the third on May 1. But now that I think about it, that means there might be a fourth notification on May 31? Or perhaps I don’t have the notification dates right…
@amsunshine when I phoned NMSC to ask about the notifications in Feb., they told me there are 5 total starting with March 1st, but they didn’t give me specifics regarding dates for the rest.
Only one official NM scholarship can be offered. (Don’t confuse this with the big scholarships that UAlabama, Florida schools, or Arizona offer.) The different notifications help the students who are undecided at the first notification because they don’t have all their acceptances or they don’t have all their financial aid packages or they are still competing for scholarships.
It is confusing but students can figure it out with phone calls to NMSC and their top choice schools to find out those schools’ requirements. You don’t have to know how every school does it, just the 1-2 your kid wants to attend who care about NMF.
My daughter just accepted with UCF (so far away, but I think a good choice for her). Luke said her name should be on the list he will get this Friday from NMSC, and he mentioned it would be his 2nd list from them.
Luke at UCF keeps all NMSF students who applied in the loop with regular emails with dates that NMSC sends UCF the list. IMO, he makes the process so much easier on parents & the NMF kids.
@PurpleTitan oh, I get it. Now just getting the brilliant D to get it! She had decided on a private school in the northeast before we started working with the FL schools. At the end of the day, assuming a 4% increase in costs each year, some of the FL packages would save us $300k out of pocket after her $100k scholarship if she took the first year grad school tuition waiver! We will be touring FL schools next week, but I’m not so sure she will be an easy sell since she had actually decided when she has a terrible time making decisions!!
My D just accepted Sunday as well. (I agree… so far away! Can’t say I didn’t cry a bit after she went to bed). But I am thrilled for her. I think it’s an amazing opportunity for her and she really seemed to love the school when she visited. Luke confirmed that she was on the list he received. He’s been so great and helpful.
For those attending UCF is anyone else not able to go to the Honors orientation?We wish it wasn’t so early in June. D isn’t even out of school yet. She has finals that day and graduation is that evening. Trying to decide what orientation is best.
@PurpleTitan —USF Lists it as one of their offerings to NMF if they do their grad school there. I have not asked details on this or the additional cash scholarship they offer NMF, but we do a scholar’s one on one tour next week, so I plan to get all the details then!
@2tiredmomma I, too, shed some tears after my DD went to bed that night. She told me she was nervous and wished she could be three again. (Me too kiddo, me too.)
We also cannot attend the Honors Orientation as we have the same issue as she graduates on June 5. I have no idea why they made the Honors Orientation so early. We are looking at the June 8 & 9 orientation (if it isn’t already booked), that makes for a crazy week but we want her to get into Orientation sooner rather than later.
@Icky19@2tiredmomma Congrats on your daughters deciding on UCF. My twins are leaning heavily toward UCF as well but we haven’t committed yet since we’re still waiting to hear on some decisions. As for the early orientation, I think it’s because schools get out so early here. The last day of school for our non-seniors is May 27th and seniors are out May 13th. Our graduation is almost the very last one for our very large school district and that is May 30th but graduation season starts on May 18th. I think they are trying to catch the kids before they have more plans later in the summer.
I can’t remember when UCF Spring classes end but I remember last summer, my daughters’ Dual Enrollment summer class started before the end of school for the high school so we had to do some juggling to pull that off. So I’m guessing summer classes started mid-May.
For those who had a 1st choice college designated by March 1, has your college of choice acknowledged receiving that info and updated your scholarship award accordingly? Particularly any ASU prospects?