The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit® Scholarship Program by taking preliminary SAT /National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Tests (PSAT/NMSQT®) – a test which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.5 million entrants each year – and by meeting published program entry and participation requirements. In early September, about 16,000 students, or approximately one-third of the 50,000 high scorers, were notified that they have qualified as Semifinalists.
Finalists
In February, some 15,000 Semifinalists will be notified by mail that they have advanced to Finalist standing.
Winner Selection
All winners of Merit Scholarship® awards (Merit Scholar® designees) are chosen from the Finalist group based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments—without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference. A variety of information is available for NMSC selectors to evaluate: the Finalist’s academic record, information about the school’s curricula and grading system, two sets of test scores, the high school official’s written recommendation, information about the student’s activities and leadership, and the Finalist’s own essay.
This year MLWGS has ten National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists from the Class of 2021, two from Henrico, two from Chesterfield, three from Richmond, two from Hanover, and one from Powhatan.
Congratulations to all of the MLWGS semi-finalists! Good luck in the finalist round.
