After taking the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) last October, seniors Shane Boettiger, Eric Cyganowski, Joshua Hogue and Ethan Wikoff were recognized as Commended in the National Merit Scholar program. Each year, millions of juniors in thousands of high schools across the nation pile into classrooms to take this test, which simulates a real SAT while providing a qualification exam for the NMS. Out of these juniors scholars, about 50,000 student have the chance to be a part of the National Merit Scholar program.
“Basically, my score is in whatever percentile the National Merit Scholarship program picked,” Boettiger said. “I wasn’t expecting it. I was really kind of excited about it because I knew it would open up a lot of opportunities.”
Commended students, which make up two thirds of the 50,000 National Merit Scholars chosen, are recognized for their high scores on the PSAT. The other one third of the students with qualifying scores move on to be semi-finalists and must submit essays, letters of recommendation and other references in order for the NMS committee to be chosen as National Merit Scholar finalists. Out of these finalists, half —about 7,500 students— become possible National Merit Scholars.
“When I got my score report back, it was a little bit ambiguous whether I would be a semi-finalist or commended,” Hogue said. “When I wasn’t announced as a semi-finalist, I was just a little bit disappointed, but being Commended is still a great honor, and I’m still very happy about that.”
In order to assist in preparation for the PSAT/NMSQT, MISD offers PSAT prep classes, and Legacy even has a PSAT team. Algebra II teacher Ms. Julie Gross runs the PSAT team. PSAT team offers current juniors with high practice test scores opportunities to prepare for the test. Sophomores and freshman also take practice PSATs to develop higher scores and determine aptitude levels. The scores from these practice test determine who gets invited to the PSAT team. Boettiger, Cyganowski, and Wikoff were all on the team. Hogue was invited, but could not fit it in his schedule.
“I was super excited [to hear that my students were Commended],” Ms. Gross said. “Since it was a new format this year and we didn’t really know what to expect, to get four, we were really proud.”
National Merit Scholars receive a $2500 scholarship directly from the NMS program, but many schools give massive amounts of scholarships for these students. In our state, schools like Texas A&M, UT Arlington and Texas Tech offer full rides for Merit Scholars, and UT Austin and Baylor have tuition scholarships as well, among others.
“I’ve been talking to Ms. Gross and trying to find out all the ways I can use this to help me,” Boettiger said. “I’ll see in the future what comes out of [being named Commended] when I go to college.”
Students will test for the PSAT/NMSQT on Wednesday, Oct. 19, providing current juniors with an opportunity to take the test. Freshman and sophomores will take practice tests, while seniors will have a normal school day.
