<p>We got that one too. We found the origami instructions for making frogs out of college brochures very entertaining. And of course, Carleton’s brochure was both too stiff and too small to make a frog 
.</p>
<p>Since inquiring minds want to know, I called a school’s National Merit Office to ask them. They said they receive the NMSF booklet (paper, only, document with all the NMSF names in it) right about the time of the Press Release Date. No advance notice. Maybe all “high scorers” are receiving mailings?</p>
<p>KvotheFan, thanks for sharing that information. Our son never received a high scorer notification. I think that was because he missed the PSAT and subbed the SAT. So if/when he qualifies for NMSF, it will have been the first we have heard from National Merit.</p>
<p>I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but our son received all the NMSF mailings from a number of top colleges two years ago. Unfortunately he missed to cut by 1 (stinking) point. We are anxiously awaiting results too as daughter is sitting right on the edge as well. So, my message is to not read anything into the caliber or amount of mail - all top scorers receive the materials.</p>
<p>thanks goherky. actually, that is helpful. Best wishes to your daughter!</p>
<p>I am well above the cutoff in one of the worst NM states (Arkansas), however I wouldn’t even be close to the cutoff in MA, CA, or NJ. Should I be concerned about not receiving a drop of NMSF related mail/email?</p>
<p>no arkie. you should be fine. it sounds like you’re a safebet for your homestate. Congrats! u prob did not get mail because of whatever your score was. U should get PLENTY once named a semifinalist and even more importantly, assuming u make finalist status, you’ll be eligible for scholarships. better to have the scholarships than the mail!!! have u researched other threads on this website to see which schools are generous with national merit awards? in the case of my kid, score was in 99th percentile nationwide so in seeing some other posts, that’s why we got so much mail. however, his score is not high enough that we can bank on semifinalist status. I am glad we’re not in one of the super high states either or he would not even have a chance.</p>
<p>*I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but our son received all the NMSF mailings *</p>
<p>there’s a BIG difference between getting NMF mailings throughout the spring and summer that just detail what NMF awards a school offers, and getting an actual “Congrats on making NMSF, we are awarding you…”. </p>
<p>The mass mailings of the former type are sent to virtually everyone who makes Commended and sometimes include a congrats for being a high scorer on the PSAT. The mailings of the latter type are sent in August with words that indicate that the college knows you made NMSF, and therefore they are awarding you X scholarship.</p>
<p>FWIW, last week I had occasion to speak to an admission rep from our local state U and mentioned that my son might be NM and he asked for his name and said he would pass it on to the person in charge of NM so he can look for it “when he gets the list.” Sounds like the colleges haven’t gotten the list as of 8/23… </p>
<p>Our mail has increased lately too though. All of it was for my son today. I will take that over bills :)</p>
<p>Has anyone actually received a “Congrats on making NMSF, we are awarding you…” email? My DS has gotten a lot of mail and some free application stuff but none that actually mention NM.</p>
<p>jrmama, we have not gotten any mail, either e-mail or regular mail, that says congrats, u are a NMSF. overall mail levels picked up again in August but we did not receive any mail that said anything like u noted.</p>
<p>Our daughter received a 226 which is well above the cutoff in any state, and we haven’t received any mail except for one college fair post card, that being said she also didn’t check any boxes on the ACT, SAT or PSAT for mailings from colleges, so I’m pretty sure the score itself prior to the list being sent to the media is not indicative of what’s in your mailbox but more so the other tests and/or things through your local school (we homeschool so again aren’t filling out any forms for anything that colleges might receive).</p>