<p>Texas here and still waiting. Daughter had high PSAT, high SAT and good grades, but until we see that paper…there’s always that doubt. Congrats to all so far!</p>
<p>A huge congrats to those that have heard! We live at the end of the earth in WA state so no letters yet … probably still on the pony express! Jackie, mom to son who really needs a little moola</p>
<p>I think the finalist confirmation is sent to the schools, not the homes. I can’t remember. I remember hearing from the school first, but then maybe sometime later the notification came in the mail.</p>
<p>Waiting, CA.</p>
<p>same here - CA</p>
<p>I posted this on another thread, but thought it might be useful here, too.</p>
<p>January 24 Selection committees begin choosing Merit Scholarship award winners</p>
<p>February 2 NMSC mails notification to high school principals about the status of their Semifinalists; a Certificate of Merit is provided for each Semifinalist who qualifies as Finalist</p>
<p>February 9 NMSC notifies Finalists of their status at their home addresses</p>
<p>March 1 Finalists who have reported a sponsor college as first choice by this date will be included in the first group referred to the institution for scholarship consideration</p>
<p>March 10 NMSC begins mailing corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship offers to winners at their home addresses</p>
<p>March 25 NMSC mails offers of National Merit $2500 Scholarships</p>
<p>April 28 NMSC begins mailing offers of college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards
(see NOTE on page 3)</p>
<p>May 31 Deadline for NMSC to receive reports of college choice for identifying the final group of candidates for college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards 2010 </p>
<p>These dates are NOT obviously perfect, because the Jan 24th date isn’t true at all. Rejection letters went out the first week in January. That suggests that the selection process happened in December.</p>
<p>The wait is absolutely killer!!! 
Congrats to all who have heard so far! 
;)</p>
<p>Texas waiting.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine mail from IN would take longer than 4 days, so…woo!</p>
<p>My son got a call this evening. Letters were mailed 2/2 and the principal called him this evening. HURRAH! AND *** CONGRATS*** to the other finalists. Finalist means you are in the top 1% of those who took test … that means a tiny small fraction of American students your age. Be proud and if someone Ivy League tells you it does not matter – walk away and know that you have accomplished more than most the the admissions officers there have! :)</p>
<p>@ Jacbug2001 Congratulations! “if someone Ivy League tells you it does not matter – walk away and know that you have accomplished more than most the the admissions officers there have!” - I like the way you put it :)</p>
<p>walk away and know that you have accomplished more than most the the admissions officers there have!"</p>
<p>Absolutely!</p>
<p>Congrats!!!</p>
<p>Just got mine in Alabama! :D</p>
<p>Our school (near Seattle, WA) got the list today. All are finalists! I am very happy.</p>
<p>Congrats to all!!!</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>Allstar…I noticed in an old thread you asked about college scholarships and being named a National Merit Scholar.</p>
<p>You’re a National Merit Scholar even if you accept a college or corporate scholarship. It doesn’t have to be the NMCorp scholarship to be named a NMS.</p>
<p>Did you apply to any schools that will give you big NM merit?</p>
<p>Did you apply to any schools that will give you big NM merit?
Yes. Will get full tuition if admitted to WSU. Becoming a National Merit Finalist satisfies one of the main requirements for a corporate scholarship (worth $4000) as well. Every bit counts. Paying for college is a big challenge for those who don’t qualify for need based scholarships and whose parents are unable or not willing to pay much. It is unfortunate the EFC doesn’t factor in cost of living relative to income.</p>
<p>^^^^</p>
<p>Congrats!!! full tuition!!!</p>
<p>Since money is an issue, did you apply to any NM schools that give tuition and housing?</p>
<p>My son is waiting in North Carolina. Of course, the snow/sleet/ice last weekend and again last night has meant one half day of school this week. I hear you northerners laughing-I grew up in New Jersey.</p>
<p>mommanuck…</p>
<p>Your son will likely get good news, because the rejection letters went out a month ago.</p>
<p>@mom2collegekids
Since money is an issue, did you apply to any NM schools that give tuition and housing?</p>
<p>Unfortunately no. Mainly because we didn’t do a good job researching our options. I think we will be ok with full tuition and whatever we can get from NM. </p>
<p>Best wishes to all those who are waiting to be informed.</p>