Big scores for scholarships

As the price of college admissions continues to rise, students are seeking more ways to help pay off their tuition in any way possible. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation awards students for academic excellence displayed on their PSAT. If selected by this organization, students can win up to 2,500 dollars to help cover their college expenses. 

Not only is this an opportunity to be rewarded with money but it also is an award that can help strengthen any college application. This distinction is nationally recognized and considered to be highly prestigious. Approximately 7,250 students from around the world are named as finalists each year. 

At Wando alone, seven students have been recognized as semi finalists by National Merit this school year. 

Senior Sydney Lewis received a score of 1350 on the PSAT and is a semi-finalist for the scholarship. 

“It was a really nice surprise and it validated a lot of hard work I had done,” Lewis said. 

The PSAT is a rigorous academic test which requires a vast amount of knowledge in English and Mathematics. A lot of the topics within the test are taught within school but outside studying and effort is often necessary to receive a high score. 

“I would love to get one of those scholarships but it’s so difficult. It’s really expensive to go to college and a lot of the places I’m looking at are out of state,” Lewis said.

Without the cushion of in-state tuition benefits, lots of college students have to pay higher tuition if they are interested in the opportunities held within a different state or region. The purpose of this scholarship is to award academically driven students for their hard work and to support them in their ambitions as they seek out new ways to make an impact on the world.

Senior Carson Walker received a 1510 on the PSAT and is also a semi-finalist for the scholarship. 

“I think that it would definitely be an award that would have an impact on your application,” Walker said. 

Not only does this award provide financial support for college students, it also aids them in their application process. Due to the reputable nature of the distinction, having this in one’s college application or resume could boost chances of acceptance as well as possibly elevate one’s credibility. 

“Practice exams are a good way to study, really for any exams and for the SAT as well. I think going through practice exams and getting used to those types of questions would be beneficial,” Walker said.

Students are recommended to practice and recite information constantly in order to improve their scores.

Senior Brody Bundis received a 1500 on the PSAT and is also being considered for a finalist position for the scholarship. 

“I studied all summer doing good practice tests and practice problems, going through all of the potential information that could be on the test,” Bundis said. 

A couple of problems a day for a few months may be crucial to score high on the PSAT test according to Bundis. 

“Really anyone can do this as long as they put in the effort and time…It’s really more about the work you put in than natural ability,” Bundis said. 

Not only can students win scholarship money for their college tuition by taking the PSAT, they can also strengthen the award section of their applications. This is a distinguished award only handed out to a select few students across the nation. Therefore students who are semi-finalists and finalists have performed exceptionally on their test and are recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Organization for their intelligence and drive.