<p>I found out that I'm an semifinalist via the local newspaper. Today, I went to my guidance counselor to ask for my semifinalist package, but she said that they still hadn't received it. Is this something to worry about? Shouldn't they have gotten it a little while ago?</p>
<p>Something is wrong.</p>
<p>Go back…ask your GC call the NMCorp office while you’re there. If she won’t call, get a parent to put in the pressure.</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s a packet this year…It may just be a paper with logon info…so you’re GC may be looking for something that more substantial like an envelope as in previous years.</p>
<p>National Merit Scholarship Corporation
1560 Sherman Avenue
Suite 200
Evanston, Illinois 60201-4897</p>
<p>Main Telephone: (847) 866-5100 (Give your GC this number!)</p>
<p>Main Fax: (847) 866-5113</p>
<p>Same thing happened to my son, we saw his name on the local newspaper, but his school didn’t say or give him any thing until my son went to his GC office and asked for it. And then my son was told that the GC’s office doesn’t know what to do with it and was having problem logging on the NMSP. I will have my son to ask them again next week to make they do their part and not to delay the process. Some time we, as parent has to give the school a little push.</p>
<p>At this point, parents need to call NMCorp and ask how to proceed when a school is acting clueless.</p>
<p>My GC came to my class today with a bunch of balloons to say congrats. When I asked her about the paperwork, she said that they will call the NM people and that they’ll make sure I don’t miss any deadlines. There’s another counselor at my school who usually deals with this issue, and he seems to know what he’s doing, so that puts me at ease a little bit. Although, if I don’t hear back from them in a few days, I should just have my parents call NM and ask what to do?</p>
<p>We had a similar experience at my daughter’s high school. NMCorp was unable to help me except to say that they would walk the counselor through the steps if he called. It turns out they had to reload the file that had her info in it. She finally got her log in info yesterday. </p>
<p>If you don’t have your log in info by Monday, I would recommend having your parents talk with the counselor in person and be sure that the counselor talks directly with the NMCorp. while your parents are there. Hopefully it will be sorted out before that is necessary. </p>
<p>Let me know if you have any questions (I watched the counselor try to figure it out). I think there is a possibility of some technical error since it is the first year they are doing it online.</p>
<p>*Although, if I don’t hear back from them in a few days, I should just have my parents call NM and ask what to do? *</p>
<p>Have your parents call **AND email **the GC and the principal and politely insist that this matter get settled immediately because of the deadlines. Insist that they contact NMCorp ASAP. Provide the NMCorp phone number to make it most easy for them. Have you parents mention that they would like this issue resolved by Sept 28th or sooner. (I would have my parents write up the email this weekend and send it to them on Sunday so that they can see it early Monday morn)</p>
<p>If nothing is done, then a parent will likely have to make a personal appearance at the school…perhaps carrying a bunch of uninflated balloons. </p>
<p>National Merit Scholarship Corporation
1560 Sherman Avenue
Suite 200
Evanston, Illinois 60201-4897</p>
<p>Main Telephone: (847) 866-5100 </p>
<p>Main Fax: (847) 866-5113</p>
<p>Did you or your parent call yet? I hope you get this taken care of and agree that the best action at this point is to contact NM Corp. directly! Call number above today. </p>
<p>The online app. is due in early Oct. (I believe the 12th, someone correct me if that’s wrong!), so at least start your essay! Pm someone that has already written their’s for the prompt question. I am sure someone can help you get at least the essay prompt so you can start writing, and save it to paste into the application when you finally have the login. </p>
<p>Then keep bugging your counselor (in a “nice way”) to get their part of application completed by duedate!</p>
<p>I now see your post about counselor bringing in the balloons. Do you have the login now?</p>
<p>Yes. I got the login information today along with a bunch of other information and I have started working on the application. What’s the deal with the part of the app that the school has to complete?</p>
<p>“What’s the deal with the part of the app that the school has to complete?”</p>
<p>The idea is that NMSC wants to see what courses (opportunities) available to you, and how much you take advantage of the opportunities. For example, it doesn’t look good if the school offers 20 AP classes, and you take none of them.</p>
<p>*For example, it doesn’t look good if the school offers 20 AP classes, and you take none of them. *</p>
<p>NMCorp doesn’t care about that. Only schools with selective admissions care.</p>
<p>You can make NMF without taking ANY AP’s even if your school offers them.</p>
<p>The part that the school submits is to NMCorp is your transcript and a school recommendation to show that you’re not a discipline problem.</p>
<p>So, should I tell my GC that I’ve finished my part of the application when I do? And she will then send her part of the application separately to NMcorp?</p>
<p>Yes, you can tell your GC that you finished your part. He or she will have to complete their school profile and the other sections that they are required to submit. I’ve been told by NMSC that they will call the GC if they haven’t received their portion of the application, and that they will keep calling the school until it’s done.</p>