National Merit Scholarship Program Award Winner: Matthew Finkel
This is the first year that one of Gerstell’s students has been chosen as a National Merit Finalist. This senior has not only been named a National Finalist but has been awarded a college-sponsored Merit scholarship award from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships. Established in 1955, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation is a privately financed not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance.
Although a sizable number of National Merit Scholarships are underwritten by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation with its own funds, the majority of scholarships awarded in the National Merit Program are sponsored by about 320 corporate organizations and higher education institutions. The first scholarships were awarded in 1956.
To make the Finalists rank, each semifinalist must then submit a personal essay, perform well on a SAT test, and have the endorsement of their school which completes a portion of the application including the Semifinalist’s academic record (course work and grades), information about the school, and a school recommendation and characterization of the Semifinalist.
The competition is open to all U.S. high school students who meet published participation requirements. Scholarship winners are chosen on the basis of their abilities, skills, and accomplishments—without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.
The PSAT which is taken in the 11th grade serves as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Approximately 50,000 participants with the highest PSAT scores are identified as either semifinalists or commended students. More than 16,000 of the high scorers, representing less than 1 percent of the nation’s high school graduating seniors, qualify as Semifinalists in each annual National Merit Program. This year there were only 306 semifinalists in the state of Maryland, from 69 different schools.
The goals of the National Merit Scholarship Program are to:
■ identify and honor academically talented U.S. high school students and encourage them to pursue rigorous college studies.
■ provide professional services for corporations, company foundations, colleges and universities, and other individuals and organizations that wish to sponsor scholarships for outstanding participants in the competition.
■ promote a broader and deeper respect for learning in general and for exceptionally talented individuals in particular.
■ stimulate increased support for the education of scholastically able students; and
■ encourage the pursuit of academic excellence at all levels of education.
Although a sizable number of National Merit Scholarships are underwritten by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation with its own funds, the majority of scholarships awarded in the National Merit Program are sponsored by about 320 corporate organizations and higher education institutions. The first scholarships were awarded in 1956.
To make the Finalists rank, each semifinalist must then submit a personal essay, perform well on a SAT test, and have the endorsement of their school which completes a portion of the application including the Semifinalist’s academic record (course work and grades), information about the school, and a school recommendation and characterization of the Semifinalist.
Finalists are eligible for three types of awards: a National Merit® $2500 Scholarship, college-sponsored Scholarships, and corporate-sponsored merit scholarships.
2500 Old Westminster Pike
Finksburg, MD 21048-1823
410-861-3000
1-866-861-3300
Finksburg, MD 21048-1823
410-861-3000
1-866-861-3300
