<p>National merit application has to be received by 12th or postmarked by 12th?</p>
<p>Oh jeez. October? I haven’t even gotten my login information yet…</p>
<p>This is what I read on the NMSC website:
“October 12 Schools submit completed National Merit Scholarship Applications to NMSC”.
So, the October 12 deadline is for the school official. The students are supposed to get the application done prior to that so that the school official has time to review it by October 12.
But here is my question: my son did the online application a few days ago and hit the submit button. But that just sent it back to NMSC, I assume. How does it get to the school? He said there was no place on the application to insert his counselor’s name or email address. It didn’t recommend that he print it and take it to her. It just told him to hit the submit button. I think I will call NMSC tomorrow and ask. It’s making me nervous.</p>
<p>It is a complicated system, and only the second year that NMSQ has had the electronic option. Apparently, unlss things have changed this year. the child’s app does not go back to the counselor; it is the GC’s responsibility to complete his/her part separate from the semifinalist, and they are matched up when it all arrives at NMSC. I would be sure to follow up with the GC, as there is really no reminder system in place to make sure they get their part done. </p>
<p>Took some encouragement to get d’s GC to understand the imperative that this be done (and apparently it’s not difficult or time-consuming for them). I called NMSC several times to see if/when it had been submitted. They were always very helpful, let me know what had and had not arrived. They also let me know that the October deadline has some wiggle room for the GCs/principals…and that if nothing had arrived from the school by Nov 1, they (NMSC) would be contacting the school to see if there was a transmission problem. (Apparently, last year there was a learning curve for the electronic system.) Although that was reassuring, d and I still worked diligently to remind the GC of the deadlines. </p>
<p>Good luck w/your communications with NMSC and the GC.</p>
<p>D completed hers yesterday, and the final approval button said “approve and send to guidance counselor.” We’ve emailed him (nicely) and asked for confirmation when the whole packet is sent out.</p>
<p>I called NMSC today and it was very informative. When you hit that submit button, it automatically goes to the school (which in our case is akin to hitting the delete button). Then the school confirms the student-completed info and adds its own info and rec letter and sends it to NMSC. If the whole packet isn’t received by NMSC by Oct. 12, then NMSC will contact the school to remind them.</p>
<p>Does the school send the completed information electronically to the NMSC? Our counselor indicated that he will print it all out and then mail it. Since we are overseas, if that is the case it will need to be sent soon.</p>
<p>I’m still confused… I received my semifinalist packet today. Once I complete everything online, what do I do? Do I need to contact my guidance counselor and tell her that I’ve finished the app?</p>
<p>According to the woman I spoke with at NMSC, you complete the application online, then hit the submit button, and it goes to the guidance counselor. I don’t know how exactly NMSC has the guidance counselor’s contact info. But, the good news is that if the NMSC does not recieve your app from the counselor by the deadline, they then send a reminder. So it sounds like you won’t NOT make finalist due to a missed deadline. As to whether the counselor emails it or mails it, I guess it depends on the counselor. Ours would probably find it easier to print it, attach paper copies of the transcript and ref letter, and mail it.</p>
<p>The NMSFs at my Ds school were told to have their online application completed by last week. My D finished hers (and I assume the other NMSF finished theirs as well…) She then tells me that her GC called them down to the office and is upset with them for not completing their application as instructed! My D tells me the students had to help the GC navigate the NM website and “find” their completed apps (all the while missing an AP class)!!! Good Grief…I’m a bit worried about the GC actually doing her part and doing it correctly!!! And also rolling my eyes that the kids had to do her job for her in finding the apps and navigating the website…how can anyone in that position have so little knowledge and so little understanding of a computer???</p>
<p>where is the application? i am a semifinalist but i never received application materials from my school, and i can’t find it on the website. panicking a little bit…</p>
<p>Talk to your counselor about it! Ask if they’ve received a semifinalist packet for you. If they haven’t, make them call NMcorp and find out.</p>
<p>Same feeling here. Some schools don’t even care about it, and blamed it on the budget cut.</p>
<p>Part of the problem might be that there’s not actually a “packet” anymore. All they give out is a one page letter with login info on it. I believe the GC has to print it out themselves from the web site. I’m not sure how the schools were notified (email or what).</p>
<p>My counselor didn’t get the papers until a couple of weeks ago… I don’t know how she got it (mail or printout) but it was the paper with the login information, the competition instructions, and lists of corporations and schools with National Merit scholarships. Take matters into your own hands and go see your counselor ASAP… you don’t have to miss out on being a NMF just because your school is clueless.</p>
<p>I just logged on to check on my S’s application and it now says “Application Closed”. I assume that means that the GC completed all the necessary info. I may call NMSC just to confirm but does anyone else who has completed the process show as “Application Closed”?</p>
<p>No, “Application Closed” simply means that the student has successfully submitted their portion. There is no way to track online whether or not the guidance counselor has submitted their portion. I have been assured by NMSC that they would never let an application fall through the cracks and that they will continue to call the school until the school does their part and sends in their necessary information.</p>
<p>I am so relieved to hear that my guidance department will not be the death of at least one thing I do this year…
Am I the only one who has been unable to see the essay on the preview document? :(</p>
<p>I was able to see it in the preview page. It uses some specific software, like Adobe Acrobat or maybe some form of MSWord print preview. Try another browser or another computer if you haven’t finalized your application.
I’ve finalized my part, but the academic dean (administrator) wasn’t here today. She left a packet with a printed version of the application and I’m so confused; I don’t know if she’s submitted it electronically or if I’m expected to do something still. Also, there are one or two things that might not be quite right on the application that I’m not sure can be changed now and I hope it won’t matter. :/</p>
<p>Errybody’s right, yo. It’s on you to be done by the 12th, but as long as your stuff is complete… it’s all up to your counselor. NM will hound that wo/man until s/he turns the remainder of your information in, so you won’t be on the hook for anything you’re not directly responsible for.</p>