About 1.5 million students take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT). Of that 1.5 million, the top one percent qualify in the Semifinalist category.
Seniors Stone Brackett and Madison Sandall both earned the honor of being Semifinalists for the National Merit Scholarship.
Madi says, “Every year, a certain score is set that must be reached in order to qualify, but you don’t know what it is until the next year.”
Typically to be in the top one percent, the score must be about 1400 of 1520. About 16,000 students qualify for the Semifinals.
As Semifinalists, Stone and Madi are given opportunities for scholarships.
Some schools grant different scholarships for Semifinalists, and some grant full rides to their college.
Stone says, “Being a Semifinalist qualifies us for some full rides to colleges; then if you become a Finalist, you get put in a large pool of scholarships.”
Also, because the scores are published for the public, many schools recognize National Merit Semifinalists.
”The biggest reward is the ability to move on and hopefully become a Finalist,” Madi says. “This opens the door to many more guaranteed scholarships.”
In order for Stone and Madi to move on in the competition, they have to take the SAT and submit another application.
The application must include an academic record, SAT scores, a list of extracurricular activities, community service hours, recommendations from teachers and a personal essay.
Being a Finalist hopefully entails winning the National Merit Scholarship of $2,500, plus more scholarships from colleges.
What does it feel like to be really smart? Stone replied, “I don’t know what it feels like to be stupid.”