Sixteen MSMS seniors were recently named as semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Competition: Jasmaan Banipal, Isabel Beckman, Poppy Bowling, Christian Butler, Colin Chung, Bones Cole, Jake Heisler, Jane Kasselman, Trice McMichael, Andrew Meng, Anthony Nguyen, Landon Rymer, Jesse Shelton, Rebecca Sun, Raymond Yang and Grant Zhang.
These students are part of an exclusive group of 16,000 high school seniors selected from more than 1.3 million participants nationwide. Each semifinalist achieved one of the highest PSAT Selection Index scores in their respective states. The index score is calculated by doubling the reading and writing score, adding the math score and dividing the sum by 10. In Mississippi, 153 students earned the distinction of being named National Merit Semifinalists.
Many semifinalists said they were excited about receiving this honor because of the opportunities it could provide for them beyond high school.
“There are colleges that are willing to give me a full ride just for being a semifinalist, which is great,” Zhang said.
National Merit Semifinalists are eligible to become finalists and receive significant scholarships.
“I’m guaranteed admission to other really good public schools — Alabama will give you a lot of money, and UT Dallas will give you a lot of money,” Chung said. “It’s definitely changed my selection of safety schools.”
Although this recognition can open many doors for students, PSAT scores alone do not determine long-term success. Sun said that while being a National Merit Semifinalist has brought her tremendous benefits, it has not guaranteed her a perfect path forward.
“I wouldn’t say it’s changed my goals in particular. I think it has more so supported my future goals for college,” Sun said. “It’s a really exciting opportunity that I’ve gotten, and I think it will do me some good when I’m applying to college. Hopefully, other colleges will consider that factor when they’re trying to decide whether to accept me.”
Approximately 95% of semifinalists will advance to the finalist stage and will be notified by mail in early February. Scholarship winners will then be announced by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation between March and July.
