<p>I know it is supposed to go to the schools in September, but are we talking early September? Late September? </p>
<p>Would be nice to include that little tidbit on applications.</p>
<p>The embargoed date is usually between Sept 14-19th…depending on how the dates fall.</p>
<p>What state are you in and what was your score?</p>
<p>D is hoping for NMF designation in the fall with a psat score of 225 in GA. Keeping our fingers crossed for Merit awards!</p>
<p>You can stop hoping, you are in. With that score there’s no question about being a semi-finalist. I know it’s hard to wait though to get it “officially”. I am right there with you!
My D’s school told her they wouldn’t give out the letters until mid-October! I hope that is bad information. It is ridiculous to wait that long.</p>
<p>Yes…Atlanta…your child has made NMSF. Georgia’s cut-off is well below that. The highest any state is 223. No state has had a higher cut-off. I think in recent years the highest has been 222…never higher than 223. </p>
<p>*My D’s school told her they wouldn’t give out the letters until mid-October! I hope that is bad information. *</p>
<p>If your school goes beyond about Sept 17th or so, you need to call NMCorp. The school absolutely needs to give you the info by the embargo date because you then have to return the packet in time for the school to submit it on time.</p>
<p>You can probably call NMCorp to find out the exact embargo date. It’s usually between Sept 13 - 19th.</p>
<p>Nat’l Merit Corp 847-866-5100
NMCorp code 0085 (to send SAT scores)</p>
<p>This should serve as a reminder to all…some GCs are morons (sorry for harshness) and don’t know much/anything about this process and can screw things up. Some actually have disdain for the NMF process. Check on everything. After you return completed packet to school, later make sure the school does their part and then submits to NMCorp.</p>
<p>Ahhh…here are the dates!!!</p>
<p>Date Announcement
September 15, 2010 Semifinalists in the 2011 National Merit® Scholarship Program
April 20, 2011 Corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship® Winners
May 4, 2011 National Merit® $2500 Scholarship Winners
May 25, 2011 College-sponsored Merit Scholarship® Winners
July 11, 2011 Additional College-sponsored Merit Scholarship® Winners</p>
<p>By now, your school VERY LIKELY already has the NMSF packets. I know that my son was given his around the 3rd week of August…so I know that NMCorp sends them early.</p>
<p>I know that my kids’ high school principal said on Monday that he has 6 NMSF packets RIGHT NOW…so, yes, they have been sent to schools!!! He doesn’t wait for embargo date, he usually gives them out the Friday after he receives them…makes a big announcement at the school’s Friday assy. </p>
<p>The embargo date is really for press release…the schools really aren’t “punished” or anything by giving them out early.</p>
<p>So…around Sept 10th or so, contact the GC and tell her/him that you know for sure that they have those packets and the “release date” is Sept 15th…provide the link if you need to.</p>
<p>[National</a> Merit Scholarship Corporation - News Releases: Dates](<a href=“http://www.nationalmerit.org/dates.php]National”>http://www.nationalmerit.org/dates.php)</p>
<p>If the school hems and haws, then contact NMCorp and ask that they contact your school to instruct them properly about giving those packets out.</p>
<p>:rolleyes: This craziness happens every year. Why do schools misbehave in regards to this!!!</p>
<p>I think at our school, they aren’t so familiar with the program. They’ve had very few NMSF. Last year, there were none at all…This year, I know of at least three or four so our school is planning to go crazy over them. Should be fun for us I guess. I will contact the GC. One thing…I think there is a typo on the release date which should be 2011 for the year?</p>
<p>I believe mom2ck has posted the dates for last cycle’s competition (with a competition cycle that extends through three calendar years confusion is common). However as I recall Sept. 15 is the usual press-release date every year.</p>
<p>Oh pooh about the dates. When I saw 2011, I was thinking that the listing was for this year. It’s for last year. :(</p>
<p>Well, since we know that the release date was Sept 15th last year, then it’s going to be similar this year…like the 16th.</p>
<p>I don’t know why NMCorp has old info listed. :(</p>
<p>No date is given for Sept 2011…but the following is given…</p>
<p>16,000 Semifinalists. In early September
2011, nearly a third of the 50,000 high scorers will
be notified that they have qualified as Semifinalists.
Semifinalists are the highest-scoring entrants in
each state. NMSC will notify them through their
schools and provide scholarship application materials
explaining requirements to advance in the
competition for National Merit Scholarships to be
offered in 2012.</p>
<p>The date does change from year to year. The year that my son made NMSF, the date was either Sept 13/14 (near by B-day)…and one year it was like Sept 17th.</p>
<p>Our high school announced last year on September 7th that the school had 14 National Merit Semi-Finalists. That was the most ever for the school. I am not sure if they would have announced it that early if there were only a few. DD and I are so nervous because she only got a 215 and that is very close to what it’s been over the past few years for Ohio. With our luck, it will increase by 4 points this year and she won’t have made it.</p>
<p>In the same boat, linnylu. I got a 216, and for the past 4 years, IL’s cutoff has been 214. I’m PRAYING it doesn’t shoot up 3 points. What are the odds, do you think?</p>
<p>Also nervous for my S here in NY. He got a 217 which is right on the cutoff or a point or 2 below what it has been for the past 4 years. Amazing how 1 pt might mean the difference between a full tuition scholarship, and not being able to go, to his 1st choice school! But right now I am thinking positively!</p>
<p>I just want to know one way or the other so that we can seriously start our college search!</p>
<p>I wonder, if they miss by a point, if that has any bargaining power with the college? Believe me, I will sure try!</p>
<p>We are also sweating it out as my DS is right on last year’s cut-off. I did take a look at this year’s state-wide distribution and it appeared to this completely non-statistical head to be a bit lower than last year’s scores, but who knows how that will play out. Guess we all will within a matter of days!</p>
<p>Once you are designated a semi-finalist, are your PSAT scores relevant in the decision making process to select finalists?</p>
<p>No your PSAT scores do not matter after you make semi-finalist.</p>
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<p>linnylu, I think your D is safe. for the last 4 years in OH the cutoff has ranged from 211 to 213. I’d be shocked if is jumps past 215. I’m watching carefully too - my DD got a 211 :(</p>
<p>Called the school and found out that my son got his letter saying he is a semifinalist in Texas :)</p>
<p>Could not be more proud!!!</p>
<p>Texasdaddy,
what was his score? It helps others who haven’t heard yet to narrow down cutoff scores by state.</p>