<p>Hi, I'm a senior in Louisiana heading to study engineering at the University of Alabama. So, I am desperately hoping that I get the finalist status. Does anyone know when the letters should arrive? I know sometime in February, but I was hoping for a more specified time range. The anticipation is killing me!</p>
<p>I’m not sure when or how you will be notified of finalist status, but the fact that you haven’t gotten a bad-news letter by now is great news - most of them seem to have gone out already. :)</p>
<p>I found a PDF on the NMSC website with specific dates in the 2012 competition:</p>
<p>January 22, 2012: Selection committees begin choosing Merit Scholarship award winners</p>
<p>February 1, 2012: NMSC mails notification to high school principals about the status of their Semifinalists; a Certificate of Merit is provided for each Semifinalist who qualifies as a Finalist. </p>
<p>February 8, 2012: NMSC notifies Finalists of their status at their home addresses. </p>
<p>March 1, 2012: Finalists who have reported a sponsor college as first choice by this date will be included in the first group referred to the institution for scholarship consideration. </p>
<p>March 7, 2012: NMSC begins mailing corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship offers to winners at their home addresses. </p>
<p>March 22, 2012: NMSC mails offered of National Merit $2500 Scholarships. </p>
<p>April 25, 2012: NMSC begins mailing offers of college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards.</p>
<p>Oh thank you!! That is incredibly helpful! I looked all over that site and didn’t find that PDF. Thank you!</p>
<p>Thanks, I couldn’t find it either. Anyone hear from their school today?</p>
<p>I just got my letter today!</p>
<p>My son got his letter today from his principal - he’s headed for a free ride to Auburn in engineering!</p>
<p>Congratulations!
I’m headed to 'Bama for a full ride in engineering :D</p>
<p>Roll Tide!!</p>
<p>Congrats, everyone! The long wait is finally over!</p>
<p>Congrats everyone!
My GC insists it’s way too early and that the school hasn’t heard anything yet, and that I shouldn’t trust CC!
No one got a rejection letter though.</p>
<p>Congratulations to everyone…students and parents!!!
I have learned so much from you all.</p>
<p>From a parent of a junior who is starting the long journey of waiting for cut off numbers etc.</p>
<p>@Debbie7452
I empathize with what you are going through
this is so something that I could see happening in our school. I did have a thought
Is it possible that the school received the NAF first and your daughters may not have arrived yet?
I hope that is what it is and good luck! Cant wait to hear your good news.</p>
<p>^^Thanks!
I finally heard from the counselor. They admitted the press release was supposed to be for National Achievement, but they swear they have NOT received anything yet from NMSC. At least I feel better about the mix up and will just have to wait patiently(well, not so patiently…lol).</p>
<p>Debbie - I’m sure things will work out, but I can understand the stress while waiting!</p>
<p>Your school should get them any day. We are in Alabama & my son’s school received them Monday.</p>
<p>Does anybody know when schools are actually allowed to release the information??</p>
<p>Because my school may or may not have prematurely leaked the notifications… 
P.S. I’m in Michigan for everybody freaking out!</p>
<p>If your school hasn’t given you your certificate yet, the admin is probably just hanging onto them and not telling you. I tracked down my counselor this morning and she admitted that they received our certificates but have been too busy to give them to us.</p>
<p>All I can say is GIVE ME MY FREAKING CERTIFICATE.</p>
<p>They waited a couple of weeks before finally giving me my semifinalist packet, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they already have it. I just want it in hand and get the whole thing over with.</p>