Student Spotlight: Seniors Max G., Marcus L-P, and Saahil S. acknowledged by the National Merit Scholarship Program

October 21, 2022

Congratulations to seniors Max G., Marcus L-P, and Saahil S. who were acknowledged by the National Merit Scholarship Program. Founded in 1955, the National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition that nearly 1.5 million high school students across the globe enter each year. Having earned some of the highest PSAT/NMSQT scores of all 2022 competition entrants, Marcus and Saahil received Letters of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Program, and Max was named a Semifinalist, meaning that he is invited to apply for the finalist round.

Of the 1.5 million entrants to the competition each year, only about 50,000 receive recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Program. Students who receive acknowledgement are selected based on receiving the highest PSAT/NMSQT scores in their applicant pool. 

According to the National Merit Scholarship Program, Commended Students, like Marcus and Saahil, are ones who earn PSAT/NMSQT scores within the top two-thirds of all entrants. As such, earning a commendation is a huge feat that takes plenty of preparation and dedication throughout the year. 

National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalists are entrants who earn PSAT/NMSQT scores in the top one-third of the applicant pool in their state. With this acknowledgement, Max is able to move forward towards the National Merit Scholarship finals. Typically, only 16,000 out of the 50,00 highest scorers each year become semifinalists.

Congratulations, again, to Max, Marcus, and Saahil! We can’t wait to see all that you do throughout this school year and beyond!