After completing the 2017 PSAT, senior Phillip Ipock qualified as a National Merit Semifinalist. As a semifinalist, Ipock will receive thousands of dollars in scholarships and a chance to become a National Merit Finalist. Ipock was the only qualifier for all of MISD.

“I was very excited, very happy,” Ipock said. “After I saw my score last year, I kind of anticipated it, but it was nice to get the final confirmation.”

Ipock took the test in October 2017. In hopes of qualifying, he prepared using prep books and working with teachers before taking the test. From here the National Merit Program looks at the semifinalists scores and in February will send out letters to determine the finalists.

“I was confident and I thought I did well. Of course I was still nervous because there is always a possibility that you miss more questions than you think,” Ipock said. “I was confident, but I wasn’t 100 percent sure that I was going to qualify for anything.”