From left, GPS National Merit Scholarship finalists Sophie Veys, Tatiana Poggi, Kate Thel, and Margaret Lim
Girls Preparatory School announced four finalists in the 2018 National Merit Scholarship program. Seniors Margaret Lim, Tatiana Poggi, Kathryn “Kate” Thel, and Sophie Veys are among the finalists nationwide achieving this honor.
“On behalf of the faculty, staff, and students of GPS, we enthusiastically congratulate these young women for this stellar academic achievement,” said Jenise Gordon, GPS head of Upper School. “These girls embody our own mission statement and inspire others to do the same as they model academic excellence, respect for others, and a curiosity for their surroundings. GPS has been greatly enriched by their contributions, and we look forward to the impact they will have on the world one day. Each girl is a gift to us.”
One point six million juniors in more than 22,000 high schools nationwide entered the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which serves as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors. To become a finalist, the semifinalist and his or her high school must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the student’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.
Three types of National Merit Scholarships are offered this spring. Every finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 scholarships that will be awarded on a state-representational basis. About 1,000 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards will be provided by approximately 230 corporations and business organizations for finalists who meet their specified criteria, such as children of the grantor’s employees or residents of communities where sponsor plants or offices are located.
In addition, about 190 colleges and universities are expected to finance some 4,000 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards for finalists who will attend the sponsor institution. National Merit Scholarship winners of 2018 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July. These scholarship recipients will join more than 330,000 other distinguished young people who have earned the Merit Scholar title.