Posted February 20, 2025
Three East Angels have earned the distinguished title of National Merit Semifinalists in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program: Fiona Cook Macdonald, Grace Taub, and Thurston zumBrunnen.
Over 1.3 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen for program entrants. More than 16,000 students nationwide were then selected as National Merit Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.
The three East High seniors can continue in the competition for one of 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth a total of nearly $26 million, to be awarded this spring. Nationwide, about 95 percent of Semifinalists are expected to advance to Finalist standing, with about half ultimately earning a National Merit Scholarship and the title of Merit Scholar.
To become a Finalist, students must submit a detailed scholarship application, including information about their academic record, school and community activities, leadership experience, employment, and honors received. Semifinalists must also have an outstanding academic record, be endorsed by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm their PSAT/NMSQT performance.
The National Merit Scholarship Program is conducted by NMSC, a not-for-profit organization established in 1955 to honor academic excellence. Scholarships are funded by NMSC, along with approximately 280 business organizations, higher education institutions, and individual donors that share its mission of recognizing scholastic achievement and encouraging students to pursue higher education.
Congratulations to Fiona, Grace, and Thurston on this incredible achievement!