<p>BTW I’m burning up WAY too much gas trying to track down the mailman! :)</p>
<p>I even told Gabriel that there was scuttlebutt both ways on here. </p>
<p>He specifically said there would be email and letter notification. I hate wishing away time, but, I am SO NERVOUS as this really does mean the difference between where my daughter CAN go and where she would LIKE to go. I feel like everyone has such compelling stories here and I hope and pray that everyone gets what they need. I know without a doubt that my daughter deserves this great gift and I pray that all her hard work and her amazing spirit will be rewarded.</p>
<p>It is going to be a long few days. :)</p>
<p>Guys you are all well deserving of this scholarship and I myself am a finalist. I want to share with you the simple fact that I myself hasn’t been nervous at all throughout this daunting process. I always believe that god has a plan for all of us and as long as you live through him you will be succesful in all you do. His blessing works through all of us and if you put him first you have already succeeded. Live through him and all your struggles will never be in vain. “When one door shuts another door opens”. You are all already blessed and you will all continue to be blessed. Heres a simple story about me. I was born and raised in Ghana in west Africa. My mother struggled to put food on our table day in and day out but with it all she kept her faith in god knowing she would see us through. Life has been a struggle for me a numerous ways than one. Learning a new language, trying to balance grades, school, siblings, while living in a small cramped two bedroom with a parent. Money was never there and during times when all seems lost, rents backed up, light bills overdue, god always sees us thorugh. Now I’m a highschool senior still in my same situation. I had no clue how I would even pay for college. $20 dollars alone was hard to come by. Through all this adversity I never lost my faith in him but grew more as a christian. God has open so many doors for me and because of his love I’ve been offered full scholarships to every school of my choice (not including gates). With all this I was never once doubtful or nervous. I was joyful knowing that no matter what happens GOD WILL ALWAYS SEE YOU THROUGH. I am the first person in my family to ever go to college in my family. Trust in him and all will be well. God Bless.</p>
<p>Congrats kakrah! You sound like a beautiful person. God has truly blessed you and I could learn a lot from you. If my faith was stronger I wouldn’t be NervousMom! 
Your story was a blessing to me and I’m sure others as well. I am a single mother of 2 and have REALLY struggled over the years to provide for my children as well, so I can really relate to your story. I wish all the best to you and your family and please keep in touch and let us know WHEN you receive your Gates scholarship!</p>
<p>Very nice message and thank god for email notification!!</p>
<p>eecardell I can totally relate to how you feel about your daughter. My daughter has worked so extremely hard too, and she has had so many obstacles, trials, etc. in her way, but she has pushed forward in spite of the obstacles around her. I’m so happy we will get emails as well.</p>
<p>Yes Indians! Email notification is the way to go!</p>
<p>thanks, kakrah! definitely helped me calm my nerves a little
for eecardell, do you know if the email notifications sent friday are only for the winners or also for those who did not receive it? I would hate to be waiting for an email on friday and never receive one…</p>
<p>O gosh. Email notification = 8DDDDDDD, but at what time will the email be sent? Either way, I’ll be partying at Grad Bash, so I’ll just wait till 2am on the 16th to check it while everyone is sleeping on the bus. If I get Gates though, I probably will receive death glares from my friends instead of smiles b/c of all the screaming for joy. 
Good luck to all, and like kakrah, I honestly have been planning out going to my backup school this whole time, so I’m happy with whenever I go.</p>
<p>@expectopatronum: I think everyone will receive an email, just as everyone who receives the scholarship receives something in the mail. Call and ask if you want 100% verification.</p>
<p>The information I got was that notifications would be sent via email and mail on the 15th. He didn’t specify winners or those who were not chosen, just notification. I won’t assume anything, as, who knows…</p>
<p>But, my FEELING is they are trying to get all the information out at the same time so they can avoid all the angst from years past (read those threads and really freak out about notifications)!</p>
<p>I imagine they want to be as fair as possible - and it must be hard for them to have to say “no” once someone has been vetted so far into the process.</p>
<p>Again everyone, be proud of getting to this place - it is truly already against awesome odds. I wish I could celebrate with each of the winners.</p>
<p>But, the best advice has already been said, somewhere there is a window open (even if it isn’t this one). And, occasionally, you have to go and beat down the doors until you MAKE what you want. Don’t do anything illegal, but, don’t give up either. Determination can get you FAR in the world. Keep dreaming big!</p>
<p>YES!!! I just confirmed that emails will start going out on April 15th! Just like eecardell said - they will notify us by email and mail starting on April 15th. The guy said not to panic if you don’t get an email on April 15th because that is when they will “start” sending them out. Some emails may go out after that.</p>
<p>That just made me so much more nervous! :/</p>
<p>Emails! Now the whole class gets to see my reaction …</p>
<p>I just want to get this thing over sooner rather than later! Emails are great!</p>
<p>Wow and they start as early as 9 east time… Wow it’s so soon. Good luck guys</p>
<p>Emoryguy - did they tell you they are starting at 9:00 eastern time?</p>
<p>@Nervousmom2011/emoryguy980: Did you call GMS or an APISAF/UNCF/NHF office? I tried calling APISAF, but they had too many calls and kept on sending me to voicemail. >.></p>
<p>I called the APISAF this morning. Spoke with a really nice man - can’t remember his name. But he said emails and letters will go out in the mail definately. And I asked him if they would go out for every group and he said yes. So I think we are in good shape (for now anyway!) :)</p>
<p>Yes, the UNCF said around the same time as finalist emails were sent (which was 9), also I just called the indian GMS number and they said emails wont be sent until Monday (which is ODD why do some people say differently than others). I just hope they are sent tomorrow!</p>