The PSAT is rapidly approaching for the Class of 2022, 2023, and 2024. The Class of 2022 will be taking the PSAT/NMSQT this year and those with expectational scores will be rewarded their senior year like the following Knights! Sixteen seniors from the Class of 2021 out of 34,000 were recognized for their extraordinary scores and received commended letters for them. Out of the 50,000 people who scored highly on the PSAT/NMSQT, 34,000 seniors were recognized nationwide. Each state has their own cut-off index score based on the average scores of those residing in that state. I got the chance to speak to one of our Commended Students in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program and learn more about this award! Without further ado, Aidan David!

Q: What is the Commended Students of the National Merit Scholarship Program?

A: Being a Commended Student means that I did well on the PSAT, but not well enough to become a National Merit Finalist, so I guess it is kind of a runner up award in a sense. It’s still a very nice achievement to get, and is definitely a good thing to put on college apps in my opinion.

Q: How did you prepare for the PSAT? Do you have any tips for the Class of 2022-2024?

A: I spent the fall break before the PSAT studying from an SAT review book, so that definitely helped improve my score. I would suggest reviewing geometry especially, because most people, including myself, have probably forgotten a lot of it by the time junior year rolls around.

Q: How do you feel about receiving this honor?

A: I am honored to receive this award, and while I think if I studied a bit harder, I could have had a better shot at becoming a Finalist, I am proud of myself. I guess I can take some comfort knowing that if I lived in Alabama I would have been a Finalist.

Q: What does this award mean to you?

A: I think this award really just means that I am good at taking tests, but I’m happy to receive it nevertheless.

Q: How will this impact your future?

A: Having this award will definitely improve my chances (at least slightly) of getting into some of the extremely selective schools I am applying to, such as Columbia and Georgetown.

Q: What is your go-to letter when you encounter an exceptionally hard question?

A: Definitely C

Thank you Aidan for telling us a little bit about the award and its impact. I would like to congratulate Aidan and the other 15 ACP seniors that were nationally recognized on behalf of the entire ACP family. Good luck to our freshmen, sophomores, and juniors on their upcoming PSAT. Don’t forget to strive for the impossible and be extraordinary!