After months of preparation and anticipation, senior Brendan Sorensen made it through the 2011 PSAT with a score of 210. Sorensen’s exemplary performance on the exam propelled him to National Merit Scholarship semifinalist status. Sorensen is one of three seniors to claim the title.
“I was really happy. This scholarship means I can go to college. My family’s economic situation would not allow me to go otherwise,” said Sorensen.
Senior Alex Stillwell’s performance on the test also allowed him to claim a semifinalist title.
“It feels underwhelming because I expected it of myself,” said Stillwell.
Senior Sam Rainey also qualified as a semifinalist although his reaction was one of extreme surprise.
“Me and my mom do not really read the papers so people were congratulating me before I knew,” said Rainey.
Across the country approximately one and a half million juniors complete the PSAT each year. Student’s who earn a score within their state’s selection index are then awarded a semifinalist title. Less than one percent of students who take the exam actually qualify to become semifinalists.
Upon being declared a National Merit semifinalist students must partake in an extensive application process in order to have the opportunity to become a National Merit Scholarship finalist.
“[Before this process] all they have is a statistic,” said Rainey.
The process includes collecting teacher recommendations, logging service hours, presenting academic and extracurricular achievements, attempting the SAT, and writing a personal essay. Of the sixteen thousand students selected to become semifinalists fifteen thousand are chosen to become finalists.
Students who achieve the prestigious title exhibit traits that transcend the academic realm. A student who becomes a finalist is a “good solid person,” according to counselor Colleen Foster.
While becoming a finalist is regarded as an individual achievement and is in no way an indicator of an educational institution’s success, the school has been home to six finalists and two semifinalists throughout its years of operation.
As for Sorensen, Stillwell and Rainey, all three are currently in the midst of completing the finalist application process. Sorenson and Stilwell have likewise expressed pragmatic aspirations beyond high school. They each plan to attend the college that offers them the most scholarships. However, Sorensen revealed the University of Arkansas as his top pick while Stillwell mentioned Vanderbilt.
Rainey has yet to narrow down his college options but desires to take the steps necessary in order to become a football coach. Both Stillwell and Sorensen possess interest in entering the medical field. Regardless of what they decide to pursue the future is brimming with possibility for these three individuals.