AISD Student Named National Merit Scholarship Finalist

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The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has named Som-Mai Nguyen, an International Baccalaureate (IB) senior at Eisenhower High School, a finalist. Nguyen (center) is pictured (l-r) with Robert Mansour, IB coordinator at the campus, and Principal Benjamin Ibarra.

The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®)–a test that serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.5 million entrants each year–and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements.

In February, some 15,000 Semifinalists are notified by mail at their home addresses that they have advanced to Finalist standing. High school principals are notified and provided with a certificate to present to each Finalist. National Merit Finalists have an opportunity to move on to compete for 8,300 National Merit Scholarships and 1,300 Special Scholarships worth more than $34 million.

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.