The National Merit Scholarship Program has named senior Julian Sewell a Commended Scholar for his performance on the PSAT in the 2020.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) offers scholarships and college opportunities for students who excel on the PSAT. Students who qualify for the National Merit Scholarship placed in the top 50,000 scorers out of 1.6 million students. Finalists of the 50,000 compete for scholarship awards by writing an essay. Sewell will not compete for the National Merit Scholarship awards, but is still recognized as commended. 

“Just being commended shows to colleges that I’m a good student,” Sewell said. “It’s another thing to put on the college application. It’s an honor.”

Commended students can become candidates for special scholarships offered by corporations and businesses. 

“I was really happy,” Sewell said. “I didn’t expect it. I hadn’t received any mail, and by that point I thought I didn’t make it. When I was led into the office and Mrs. Boren told me, I was super excited. I know it’s a great thing college-wise, so I was pretty happy.”

Sewell said he plans to purse a bachelor of science degree in physics.

“I want to apply to Stanford, Princeton, Harvard and California Institute of Technology,” Sewell said. “I want to be a researcher and eventually a tenured college professor.”

Students should prepare for the PSAT if they want to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

“The PSAT is what the National Merit Scholarship is based off of,” Sewell said. “Students should really study for that and make sure they do well on the PSAT if they want to be considered. That’s the most important thing.”