My guess as to why NMSC hasn’t embraced technology in this SF notification process is that they are worried about mess-ups and hacking. We all can think of several large universities that have erroneously sent accept e-mails, only to have to retract them. NMSC doesn’t have the deep pockets nor the PR dept. to weather some messup like that (think Jimmie the intern hitting “send” to 50,000 kids instead of 16,000 . . … . whoops). Anything with a secure portal can be hacked and likely would be (a few posters last year sounded like the type - you don’t need Guccifer 2.0 to pull this off . . .). If everything goes regular mail then the libability is with the nameless faceless US Post Office.
SF notification isn’t exactly like protected health info. (which, incidentally, is not supposed to be going out via e-mail either) but NMSC is having enough difficulty trying to keep this antiquated scholarship program afloat as it is. Mail might be slow and cumbersome but it’s low risk.
@contdes
I agree, the process is a little silly, and could and should be improved in several ways, but …
Notifying the school for the semi finalist stage makes sense to me. In order to move to Finalist, the school MUST perform various non trivial activities on behalf of the student. Sending directly to the school gives them skin in this game. I am going to be frank, for many students, unless directed by their guidance staff, they may not even complete the application for finalist.
You might say, why not notify both the school and the student. This might work, but I can also see that it could cause additional conflict and confusion to have the notification sent to two parties, processing that information at potentially different times in potentially different ways.
One of my chief complaints is the September 13th non date. If that’s the date, notify the schools electronically, on that date.
I don’t buy fear of hacking as a legitimate reason to not release this information via secure portal. My view may be colored by the industry I work in.
@DavidPuddy we do but the investment our bank has made in terms of confidentiality and security would pretty much wipe out available scholarship money should NMSC employ the same approach. Hopefully it would never have to come to that as the goal with hacking the NMSC system is merely to find out info. early or even change a few scores
NMSC is beholden to the sponsors to keep costs down. My guess is the minute they start clamoring for change, that will happen. But they won’t because anything that goes on prior to NMF doesn’t concern them. As long as they get their book, they are good.
Was poking around on the NMSC website last night and found this link that would be interest to those who made NMSF and want to know the process for advancing to finalist. It is up to date for the class of 2018.
Good discussion. My school principal confirmed that she has the results but cannot share until Sept/13. So i looked at the National Merit guide for educators which is a booklet for teachers. All it mentions is to hold the press releases until Sept/13 and nothing about not disclosing or discussing with students. This is all mis-interpretation of school principals.
I wish NMSC just include clear verbiage in the guide to allow latitude for schools to discuss these results. This removes any ambiguity. I do not know why it would leave that part off.
Like both of you mentioned there is a lot of improvements to be made to this process, but some of them are just simple update to the manual.
Thanks @LOUKYDAD . I didn’t realize the application deadline would be so soon- Oct 11. Many students will not receive official confirmation until Sept. 13, which doesn’t leave a lot of time.
Question about the Finalist application: some schools require that you list them as your top choice. But, I have also heard you can put “undecided” until you find out if you are accepted at that school. Any insight on this? For example: D would LIKE to go to USC, but it’s a crap shoot on if she will get in. If she doesn’t, she would put Baylor #1 (they also require it) which would give 100% tuition/room/board. Any insight on this?
@amominaz You should double-check Baylor. We’ve been looking into them and I’m pretty sure (actually very sure) their NM award is only full tuition. You can attend a scholarship competition and then apply for a faculty scholarship that would cover room/board, at that point a student would have a full ride. I’d be happy to know I’m wrong though!
@amominaz – my D18 also wants to go to USC and will likely be NMSF. I watched the USC threads on this last Spring and read info on usc.edu … and it looks like a student can wait until after admission decisions are made (even after the May 1st commitment deadline) to select USC as their NMF top choice and still get the automatic USC Presidential scholarship.
I don’t know how it works at the other NMF-friendly colleges like UA, OU, etc.
We’re going to leave the NMF top choice college blank until we see which colleges admit D18.
DD made it in HI per gc, but her 223 is no useful info for ledge dwellers.
Had her complete application to UTD, as the nerd aspect seems greatest there for the full ride NM schools. Now if she continues to do nothing about applications, we just send her to Dallas.
@NYMommabear the application is pretty straightforward and uses info that your student has probably already included on the CA so easy to retrieve.
@amomiinaz - put undecided for now. There is always plenty of time to update before the first list goes out on 3/1, and if you are RD or undecided till 5/1 you can specify at that time. Better to be undecided till you know for sure rather than changing choices last minute and accidentally having your name sent off to a school you aren’t planning on attending.
@amominaz You can change your top choice during the process, so you should be able to list USC as your first choice, and then change it before May 1st if your daughter doesn’t get in or changes her mind.
Schools from a neighboring CA county checked in at Art’s this morning, so hopefully we’ll get our official confirmation today. Dia drums fingers on table
@amominaz, do know that USC does not accept all NMF applicants. They actually almost brag about the number they do not accept. You do need to show interest, visit the campus, do an interview.
The only thing to be aware of with selecting the first choice school is that not all schools allow until May 1 for selection. For instance Tulsa, which was on my S’s list for a long time, has a competitive nearly-full-ride scholarship but winners are chosen in March. A student interested in that scholarship would be required to list Tulsa as first choice in late February. So be sure to check the timing requirements for your specific schools of interest, to avoid losing out on scholarship opportunities. I believe most NMF schools are more flexible than Tulsa but it’s critical to research.
@GTAustin - oh, yes; I have heard that. We have been for a visit, she has been in contact with the local rep, and is planning to interview. Plus, my husband went there so hoping that pushes her over the edge. We will see! Lots of great schools out there if she doesn’t get in. Thankfully, she isn’t dead set on it.
