<p>My son's school doesn't historically have a lot of NMSFs. The principal is new this fall, and I believe this is his first time as a principal. (Some situation where previous principal was gone without a lot of notice and new guy worked at admin building and drew the short straw. I think this is a temporary post for him.) The guidance counselor is also new and seems totally in the dark about the process. I saw the principal at a school meeting last night and mentioned that our son was editing his essay, with all else done for his part of application. I mentioned the recommendation letter and he had one of those, "uh-oh, did I forget something" looks. He said, "have ____ stop be and see me tomorrow." Now I'm worried that the school won't get their part done on time. Maybe I overlooked something, but all I could find after we logged in was what our kiddo needed to do, not much on what the school needs to do. Other than grades and a recommendation letter, can anyone tell me what the school should be supplying?</p>
<p>I am not sure what else they are to do. At our child’s school, the students were told that their (students’) part must be done by Friday and they have to go in and let the counselor know that their part is done.</p>
<p>I would suggest that you call another local school with an experienced counselor or principal in your district (or even the NM office) and ask what the school is to do. Then email the counselor and copy the principal as soon as your son is done with his part, let them know he is done, and ask them to email you when the school has submitted its part (and maybe put in parenthesis what that part is) so that you can keep track of all steps in case there is later any issue. If you don’t hear from them the day before it is due to NM…call and email the school and get a firm response that it is done (or will be done that day).</p>
<p>There could be a lot of money and opportunities on the line. No harm and guiding, encouraging and even pushing to be sure the ball is not dropped.</p>
<p>T</p>
<p>You can track the status at NM but once the student submits their portion then you can no longer use the parent login to track. Use the student login and it will tell you if the school has submitted its part.</p>
<p>My guidance councilor does not know how to turn in the completed application. She has completed it, but when I log in the webpage tells me that the school official has not transmitted her portion of the application. Our school has just entered fall break, and I have no means of contacting the guidance councilor. What am I supposed to do? If I call National Merit can they grand me an extension or something?</p>
<p>I can totally understand this situation even my D’s school has dozens of NMSF every year. This year, the school give the NMSC application work to a new person who is really not qualified for the job. Other counselors have the same concern. The school said they will submit their part of application tomorrow which is Sunday. Anyway, my D has submitted her part of application. We’ll check tomorrow night to see if there is any progress from the school side.</p>
<p>So I am a semifinalist, but my school has said absolutely nothing to me about this deadline. We’re on fall break next week and I have no idea what to do or how too log onto the website or anything.</p>
<p>Phew, I contacted my counselor and got things settles. For anyone who has not heard from school, the deadline is WEDNESDAY. If you have not received your login you need to visit your guidance counselor and get it. The school has a login for an official, and after he logs in he can print out your information. If the school does not know about that either, tell them to call the National Merit Office (847) 866-5100 and request that they fax over another copy of the letter. It is due WEDNESDAY and the application on the school’s part is quite lengthy according to what I’ve heard.</p>
<p>@Premed Girl, if you are on fall break and cannot contact them, you need to get the phone number of the principal. If there is not someway you can get it from official sources, then you might need to try the white pages, internet, etc.</p>