@AVDGHD I would concur with this. For the most part, this interpretation seems to be a sound synthesis of the bits and pieces people have been posting. Initially, callers were given around 400 when asked how many semi-finalists there were, but that changed last Monday (so, the one edit being - that was technically before the financial forms were due) when someone was told 150, which is what they have stuck with since. To be able to award 85~ within the next couple of weeks, they have likely been continually shrinking the pool of applicants. And for now, there’s no way for us to know who is in what group.
I am curious, however, to see how notifications will occur. Historically, you are correct that winners have been surprised by faculty representatives, but they mentioned this year they will be notifying everyone directly - the website FAQ even says by email. I will check with them again on Monday.
That being said:
“We are all highly qualified and deserving. Google, nor college confidential will change the outcome. This scholarship should not be a make it or brake it for anyone. If you are qualified to a be a JKCF Semi-Finalist, you are certainly qualified to overcome any future challenges or obstacles in academia - even if you can’t see it”
Yes - this. I think it’s really easy to get sucked into this thread, but we have all done what we can, for better or for worse. And making it into this final 300-400 itself is an amazing accomplishment.
PS - If your college is what I think it is, we faced your Ethics Bowl team off during Nationals. Awesome team, fun match!
Thanks for the list, will look into them. Also your numbers does seem more accurate. 340 semi, 170 finalist and 85 winners.
A fellow semifinalist called today and was told that the EARLIEST we would hear a decision is sometime this week.
@LitMajor1107 That’s a bit nerve-wracking!
Did they hear how the notification would occur?
I called them up - everything will be emailed.
It’s crazy to think that we are so close! I keep checking my phone to see if I have a missed call or email. @airtransfer16 This is more than a “bit” nerve-wracking. I’m freaking out! 
I had a missed call today from an unknown number, but sadly it was just a telemarketer. Worst timing ever!
Deep breath in, slowly exhale, repeat.
I’m don’t know how you are going to take this, but I called today, and they told me that they will email the notifications mid late April.
It is so sad that we get so many different information.
@pearsonx That doesn’t especially upset me, but it seems odd. Both myself and another student called today, spoke with two separate people, and were told “the next two weeks” and “no later than the seventeenth”, which seems to be what they are saying to most people. The website presently says the same.
I believe that you were told that, of course, but I still think it’s safe to say within the next couple of weeks. I might test call them a couple of more times to see, though that might come across as a tad neurotic.
may god have mercy on the small team of beleaguered JKCF interns.
This is just a theory but I read many JKC finalists, about 80%, are Phi Theta Kappa members. Many members will be heading to National Harbor, Maryland for the International Conference this Wednesday 4/6 and won’t be returning until Sunday. Along with, some will be heading to Chicago, IL for the Phi Theta Kappa President’s Breakfast, on Tue 4/12, honoring All-USA Team and Coca-Cola New Century Scholars. Therefore, I don’t believe anyone will be notified until late next week or the following, since JCK representatives would know this because PTK promotes their scholarships.
@optimisticky Ay. I admit that, my own anxiety aside, I do give them much credit. Regardless as to if I receive the scholarship, I will send them a note on the other side letting them know their labor is appreciated.
@CherryBlossom22 I suppose so, but that would seem odd to me. I don’t see that they have ever done that before - and, given that they will be emailing notifications, I see no reason for them to. It seems that, even with the 80% PTK applicant rate, that most PTK members don’t attend these events. For example, I am not aware of my school ever sending anyone - that would require quite a bit of funding and labor - nor do the surrounding CCs do so frequently. Are they typically held on the East Coast?
actually its 91% of jkc finalists that are members of ptk. And yes, next week is a very big week, i dont think they will be announcing anything next week.
Aritransfer16 ,I don’t know why that seems odd to you when you know that they have been telling different answers to most people that call them. Moreover, by Friday next week it will be already mid April, if you add a couple of days to that you will find yourself within the least tend days of the month already . Furthermore, I think that the mid-late April answer is just the same as the “next couple of weeks” answer they have been giving to quite a few people.
Cherrybloosom22, I think your theory makes a lot sense.
on a second thought, if they are making announcements via email, there is no reason why they wont announce finalists if they plan on doing so next week.
@pearsonx It seems odd because I don’t see that it has any precedent. Yes, the majority of scholars are PTK members, but do the majority of PTK members go to this? I cannot imagine my community college and our direct neighbors having the funds to send students consistently, and we are on the wealthier end for our region (which is on the wealthier end of the nation).
And aren’t conferences usually hosted over the weekend - when they would not notify folks to begin with?
I mean, sure, they might wait. I just have no grounds to think that they would. They have been telling most people, as well as posting on their website (the initial FAQ - they have been saying this from the beginning), early to mid April; the most exact number I have seen is no later than the seventeenth. That could match up with the conference or it could not, and ultimately I don’t care either way, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
@graceunworthy That, too.
And prior to this year, it was school contacts that were notified…presumably during the working week.
@aritransfer16 For at the least the All-USA Academic Team breakfast in Chicago (I cannot speak on behalf of the other award) community colleges are contractually obligated to send winners there, in fact normally the President of the college accompanies the student. Only 20 students in the nation earn a spot so it might be possible no one from your campus has won while you have been a student there. Big stuff like this either the scholarship pays or the college is expected to pay because it makes the college look great, too 
@muffinpoptarte Correct - we had no All-USA Academic Team winners this year, so that would make sense, and had we I assume the college would have paid. I suppose I was more confused about the national conference. I am totally open to hearing that I am wrong, but I was honestly only peripherally aware that it existed, nevermind knowing when it was; which is why I asked if they were typically on the East Coast. We only this year got the school to approve funding for the National Collegiate Honors Conference, and that was because we could drive to it. Sending students and faculty to MD for a couple of days to attend a conference nobody was presenting at just sort of blows my mind. I actually think it’s awesome if your schools support you all in doing that, so for those who are going - please do have fun! And if anyone has been honored to come to Chicago and wants tips for hidden gems, lemme know. Pretty familiar with the city.
I sometimes wonder how close PTK and the JKCF are. Anyone have any insight on that?
I wouldn’t naturally see any reason for JKC to wait on the PTK events to cease unless the staff participates in the event to a large extent, or they just want to hold out excitement. Although, if they want to make sure it’s pretty secretive and they don’t contact everyone on the same day, they may shy away from announcing while a bunch of PTK members are all together in one city talking to each other lol.
I’m just glad I’ll be traveling for the next two weeks and I’ll be distracted while I’m waiting. I’m going to DC this weekend, Chicago on Monday/Tuesday next week, and then New Mexico next Thursday-Tuesday! I’m about to go crazy sitting here at home waiting to hear.
@aritransfer16 tell me more about these gems! Also - I’m sure not a majority of PTK members go to this event but they may have a disproportionate amount of JKC winners/applicants that do go. I wouldn’t let it worry you if you’re a semi-finalist and not going though! May just be a correlation, but certainly wouldn’t be a cause. I know at my school the funding was tough and our chapter had to raise about 1500 for us all to go, as my school only paid for two of us who won scholarships.