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More than 25 Percent of Class of 2016 Recognized by National Merit Program
Nineteen Bryn Mawr seniors, representing more than 25 percent of the Class of 2016, have been recognized as either Semifinalists or Commended Scholars in the National Merit Scholarship Program. The large number of students acknowledged is remarkable, representing one of the highest percentages of both graduating seniors and girls in the state.
Emily Pan and Molly Tunis have been named National Merit Semifinalists, and will compete for two of the 7,400 National Merit Scholarships available. Seventeen other students — Adeline Choo, Isabelle Ciaverelli, Abby Diette, Hannah Gokaslan, Annie Im, Madi Johnson, Caroline Kaufman, Melissa Kim, Mina Lee, Emily Leff, Sarah Marshall, Sydney Nemphos, Kayla Scharfstein, Amanda Schmitt, AP Smith, Peyton Smith and Molly Tucker — have been named Commended Scholars, reflecting their high achievement on the PSAT/NMSQT.
Emily Pan and Molly Tunis have been named National Merit Semifinalists, and will compete for two of the 7,400 National Merit Scholarships available. Seventeen other students — Adeline Choo, Isabelle Ciaverelli, Abby Diette, Hannah Gokaslan, Annie Im, Madi Johnson, Caroline Kaufman, Melissa Kim, Mina Lee, Emily Leff, Sarah Marshall, Sydney Nemphos, Kayla Scharfstein, Amanda Schmitt, AP Smith, Peyton Smith and Molly Tucker — have been named Commended Scholars, reflecting their high achievement on the PSAT/NMSQT.
"We are very pleased that so many of our students have earned this recognition of their hard work and academic talents," said Jennifer Galambos, Upper School director and assistant head of school. "They, along with their classmates, enrich our classrooms and our school community every day."
The National Merit Scholarship program is open to all high school students who complete the PSAT/NMSQT by the close of their junior year. More than 1,500,000 students take the test each year. This year, the top 34,000 — only five percent of all test-takers — qualified for National Merit acknowledgment. Sixty-eight percent of those students were subsequently named Commended Scholars, while the 16,000 highest-scoring students will go on to compete for scholarships as National Merit Semifinalists.
To achieve Commended Scholar or Semifinalist status, students must meet or exceed a selection index. While the Commended Scholar selection index is the same nationwide, Semifinalist indices vary state to state, in order to allow NMSC to provide a representative sample of students. Maryland’s selection index is one of the highest in the country, providing an even greater testament to the exceptional abilities of Bryn Mawr’s Commended Scholars and Semifinalists.
“The young men and women being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource. Recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”
Back row, left to right: Peyton Smith, Emily Leff, Sydney Nemphos, Hannah Gokaslan, Kayla Scharfstein, Abby Diette, Melissa Kim, Caroline Kaufman and Amanda Schmitt. Front row, left to right: AP Smith, Isabelle Ciaverelli, Annie Im, Molly Tunis, Emily Pan, Mina Lee, Sarah Marshall and Adeline Choo. Not pictured: Madi Johnson and Molly Tucker.
Located in Baltimore, Maryland, The Bryn Mawr School is a private all-girls pre-kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school with a coed preschool for ages 2 months through 5 years. Bryn Mawr provides students with exceptional educational opportunities on a beautiful 26-acre campus within the city limits. Inquisitive girls, excellent teaching, strong student-teacher relationships and a clear mission sustain our vibrant school community where girls always come first.