<p>This is really weird - it seems like somethink hinkey is going on. It is too early for the letters and all of these outstanding students are being turned down. Anyone else think so?</p>
<p>Queenofeverything - I wish, but it seems the one thing connecting all of us is relatively low GPA by the standards probably expected by NMSC. Though I checked their website and it said notifications were not sent out until January 25, but that might only be for those accepted.</p>
<p>I thought it said somewhere that those that don't progress are notified sooner.</p>
<p>you could be right thiscouldbeheavn, though I guess it really doesn't matter does it? A rejection is a rejection whether it is sent out before or after the expected date.</p>
<p>this is the sooner date - finalist learn of their standing in February.</p>
<p>So doesn't that mean if you didn't get 'sorry' letter now, you get a letter from NSMC in February that you're a finalist?</p>
<p>The rejection letters might not all be sent out at the same moment. They could probably come over time depending on when the decision was made.</p>
<p>Aw fudge, I fail.
Didn't make the cut for finalist :(</p>
<p>Welcome to the club. It's not the end of the world.</p>
<p>...and it isn't even about me! Son should also be hearing about a nice scholarship that was to be mailed today...lots of things to think about.</p>
<p>Appreciate everyone for sharing their information. Surprising that some of the bad news came to folks with what looks to be extremely high PSAT/SATs. Do you think the GPA is that tight or that there may be other issues (ie, suspensions as a deal stopper)?</p>
<p>Just hanging in and waiting...</p>
<p>I just got my rejection letter. I have a 3.96 weighted GPA, good extracurriculars, and I turned everything in on time. I can't figure why this happened.</p>
<p>Did everyone make sure that they sent their SAT scores to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation?</p>
<p>I have a 3.8/4.6 GPA but I had dropped an online class after the grace period, leaving an unsightly F on my transcript that I am now retaking in school (and have over a 100%). I know that this was explained on my application but I have been nervous about it. I am in the top 12%, have several nice ECs with national-level awards, had the highest PSAT score in my school (226) and take a challenging courseload.</p>
<p>But a 2350 rejected!??? what the eff??? I am really nervous about this. I haven't received a letter yet, but I'm sure that it will be coming in the mail. </p>
<p>What exactly did the letter of rejection say? </p>
<p>I am in full blown panic mode- clenched stomach, tight chest, nausea. I feel so badly for all those who worked hard to get a high PSAT score in addition to their ECs, courses, and SAT score- but had non-4.0 but still respectable GPAs. This is ridiculous!</p>
<p>Don't fret over it too much. I was happy to be a semifinalist even though I got rejected considering I didn't study for a second before either the PSAT's or SAT's. I forgot I even had the SAT's until midnight the night before in all honesty. That work ethic is probably the reason I'm not qualified anyways right? It certainly reflects in my GPA.</p>
<p>It's just that I made an increase of 430 points from my sophomore to my junior year, going from a 183 to a 226 on the PSAT. I tried really hard and made it my #1 high school goal. Everyone always seems so casual about it- "oh the only ones that don't make it have under a 2.0 or didn't turn in their paperwork". </p>
<p>That is why I asked if everyone had their SAT scores sent to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation- I was thinking that maybe those people waited until the December date to have them sent, and College Board is having some issues and they aren't arriving. Or maybe people forgot entirely to send them in.</p>
<p>I sent my sat score (2360) to the NMSC several months ago, so I'm sure that wasn't the problem. I'm not too upset about not being a finalist because not too many of the schools to which I applied give merit aid to national merit finalists. I'm glad I wasn't relying on a scholarship that was contingent on finalist status.</p>
<p>I sent mine in (2100) the day after I found out I was a semifinalist, so that could not have been the issue. Plus the letter clearly stated my "academic record was not strong enough" or something along those lines. I was somewhat relying on the NMF scholarship for Ohio State, but I still get more than full tuition for my in state schools for being a semifinalist so not all is lost.</p>
<p>zakface, I think the "academic record isn't strong enough" letter is pretty much a general can letter they sent to everyone. I mean academic record is pretty broad and applies to everything..gpa, test scores, etc. I'm just curious if there's a cutoff or something. Maybe the nms people have some kind of formula for figuring it out? Points the give for certain things?</p>
<p>Thinking this has more to do with the economy/money available and not just the application data. DS had 231 with 2360 and 3.53 UW and got one of those lovely letters yesterday. Now wondering whether he will just get more "lovely" letters from the colleges. Letter gives same academic record stuff. Only big Oops is C in AP class with teacher/student personality conflict. 4 APs this semeter alone and over 4 weighted. ???</p>
<p>Should we be worried? Son had 220, w/ 2190 on SAT GPA 4.0 no APs lots of extra cir, leadership, not a great writer Checked the mail today, no letter.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Thinking this has more to do with the economy/money available and not just the application data.
[/quote]
Doubtful that this is the case at this stage... the number of Finalists is fixed at or near 15,000, and not all Finalists receive the scholarship from NMSC (only 2,500 do). Since not all Finalists receive the scholarship, there's no fiscal reason to reduce the number of Finalists.</p>