<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>Based on my PSAT score and recent cutoffs for my state, it looks like I'll become an NMSF in the fall. I know I'll be pretty busy once the school year starts, so I've been wanting to write the essay that is part of the criteria that determines whether a person is an NMF. The website doesn't give the essay prompt, though. What has it been in recent years, and does it change at all?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Gosh, it’s been a few years. I think it’s just a prompt that asks you to tell a little about yourself, your accomplishments and career goals.</p>
<p>So, for now, just create a Word doc with some lists/phrases of what you’ve accomplished and your life goals.</p>
<p>Having such a Word doc will come in handy for many applications, essays, etc. You’ll be able to refer to it and copy/paste as needed.</p>
<p>^^Agreed, I think it could be a summary of ECs. It has been two years here.</p>
<p>Last year’s question (for 2010 competition) was something along the line of:</p>
<p>Describe an experience you’ve had, a person who has influenced you, or an obstacle you’ve overcome, and explain why this is meaningful to you. It had to fit in about a half page space.</p>
<p>You have at least 2 weeks to write the essay, it is going to be similar to what you would write for a lot of colleges and scholarships, so as others suggest prepare a set of talking points and then you can craft an essay when needed.</p>
<p>Do not stress about the NMF essay, keeping your nose clean, good grades and good SAT scores is most important for them. Does not mean you can blow it off but keep it in perspective.</p>
<p>Here’s a little tip for it though. The application is this big card-stock thing. It is designed to be written by hand. However, you can type your essay and then format it so it fits, print it, cut it out, and paste it on the application. You can also do that for the tiny blocks for ECs and academic awards–or whatever other blanks there are.</p>
<p>That’s a little strange. Why do you think they use card-stock?</p>
<p>It is a paper application, not on line. Hence they have a printed form that needs to filled in. However, given that it is difficult to read handwriting and there is no way of printing that, they have now making the application on card stock, so that you can do it on a computer and paste it. However to make sure that all applications are complete on one form, you have space restrictions. </p>
<p>Could NMSC do it differently e.g. make it on line like a fillable pdf form? Yes they could but for what ever reason they are sticking to paper applications and this the best they could do to accommodate modern technology.</p>
<p>Not sure why the use card stock. But the hint about pasting in printed info is a good one. </p>
<p>I did hear you should be careful about the tape covering text in case copies are made, but not sure if it is true (we used double-sided tape).</p>
<p>Can someone confirm that this is the correct essay prompt for the 2011 competition?: </p>
<p>*Describe an experience you have had, a person who has influenced you, or an obstacle you have overcome. Explain why it is meaningful to you. Use your own words and limit your response to the space below. Print your essay using 10 point font size and affix securely on all four corners with nonglare tape or write legibly in ink on this form. *</p>
<p>I don’t want to start writing and then have it turn out that it’s not the right prompt.</p>
<p>This is correct.</p>
<p>^ Oh, that’s a relief. I saw something different on another thread, and was worried that I’d have to write a separate essay…</p>
<p>Thank you, minoafrau.</p>
<p>The NMSF application that my son completed was an online version. The essay was due on Sept. 10 to his guidance counselor. He completed it online and it was automatically sent to the school.</p>