Four Canterbury Students Named National Merit Semifinalists

Congratulations to Max B. '23, Ben C. '23, Lara K. '23, and Gabby S. '23 on being awarded this distinguished honor. 

High school juniors entered the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen for program entrants. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. 

 

All four will now have a chance to compete for 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $30 million. To become a finalist, the semifinalist and their school must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the semifinalist's academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. 

 

Of the approximately 16,000 semifinalists, about 15,000 are expected to advance to the finalist level, and in February they will be notified of this designation. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of finalists. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference. 

 

Three types of scholarships will be awarded in the spring of 2023. There will be 2,500 scholarships worth $2,500 as well as about 950 corporate-sponsored scholarships from more than 150 corporations. In addition, more than 150 colleges and universities are expected to offer some 4,000 college-sponsored scholarships.

 

Congratulations again to our semifinalists for this incredible achievement!