<p>I just got word from my school today that I am a National Merit Semifinalist and National Achievement Semifinalist. The cutoff for Maryland is 222 for 2006, so the above link is accurate with regard to Maryland.</p>
<p>I got a 218 in Illinois here. The cutoff was 216 so I barely made it.</p>
<p>School hasn't started yet, but I got an e-mail from Texas A&M saying I was a semifinalist lol and that they had a scholarship waiting for me.</p>
<p>i got that email too. but i found out from my school, not the email.</p>
<p>made it here in FL with a 220....my school hasn't told me anything yet. is the deadline for getting the app in really the 12th :/ ?? should i go ask my counselor or something</p>
<p>to get application back to high school is flexible, at the discretion of h.s. The important date is Oct 12 for high school to get app back to nmsc</p>
<p>I can't get my packet until the 7th, the first day of school! Do they really expect us to have it back by the 12th?</p>
<p>yes, same here. I get back to school on the 6th, right after labor day. I'm going to ask my counselor straight up though.</p>
<p>i'm a semifinalist too but my counselor has not given me the information yet. i was wondering if anyone could tell me the essay topics? i kind of wanted to do them over this long weekend. thanks!</p>
<p>227 in PA, so I guess I made it. School hasn't started yet though, and they're notorious for not telling us anything on time, so I guess I'll just have to wait...</p>
<p>I dont think we have to have it back that early cause we get info really late.</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>what are the differences between the two, NMS, NAS?</p>
<p>sneaky--There is only one essay. Application says:
"ESSAY ABOUT YOURSELF: In your own words, describe your personal characteristics, accomplishments, primary interests, plans, and goals. What sets you apart? Your essay of about 500 words should be typed on this form or computer printed and affixed with nonglare tape. Material exceeding this space cannot be used."<br>
The space is about 6.5" X 7.5"</p>
<p>When is all that due? School hasn't even started for me!</p>
<p>thanks atomom</p>
<p>Your part and your school's part are all due by Oct. 15th. Some of the counsellor's at our school have given the forms to their students and some haven't. Our school wants the student's portion back by Sept. 15th.</p>
<p>Don't know if this is the righty thread to ask, but can someone explain the rest of the process for a Semi-Finalists? After filling out the package, how do we go about getting scholarship money, blah blah, etc.</p>
<p>Correct me if I'm wrong, folks, but I think the procedure is that the scholar (or his family) can explore around & find out whether their employer or a college being applied to offers National Merit scholarships. SOME schools do & some don't; some employers do & others don't. </p>
<p>To get an award from the college, you have to follow the procedures they set forth -- it's usually stated on their college website, or you can contact their financial aid office for more info. Generally you have to apply & be admitted & name their school as your #1 choice before the May 2006 College Board deadline. The GC should have more info. Good luck!
HImom</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nationalmerit.org%5B/url%5D">www.nationalmerit.org</a></p>
<p>They also publish a paper brochure that most HS have....it also explains the entire process.</p>
<p>fellow students of MA, I hate you all =)</p>
<p>223 in NJ - Yea...I got it by a hair ;-)</p>