More than 22% of the Class of 2012 Recognized by National Merit Program

Seventeen Bryn Mawr seniors have been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) as either National Merit Commended Scholars, National Merit Semifinalists/Finalists, or National Merit Scholars, representing more than 22% of the Class of 2012.

Six girls—Julianna Drew, Amna Hashmi, Gina Hong, Ruby Nitzberg, Elizabeth Norman and Emily Rutherford—were named both National Merit Semifinalists and Finalists, and competed for one of the 8,300 National Merit Scholarships available. Eleven others—Amelia Barnes, Rachel Brown, Nancy Dunbar, Nicole Gabarino, Annie Kolle, Cecily McIntyre, Gabriella Miller, Tess Moran, Bridget Morton, Victoria Norman and Yvette Schein—were named Commended Scholars in September 2011, reflecting their high achievement on the PSAT/NMSQT.

“We are very pleased to be part of a small but powerful group of independent schools across the country with notable results in the National Merit competition,” said Headmistress Maureen E. Walsh. “Bryn Mawr students are part of the most sought-after cohort of high school seniors by selective colleges.”

Approximately 1,500,000 students complete the PSAT/NMSQT each year, entering the competition for National Merit Program recognition. Of those students, the 50,000 highest scoring students—only 3% of all test-takers—qualify for National Merit Program acknowledgment. Sixty-eight percent of those students are subsequently named Commended Scholars, while the 16,000 highest-scoring students go on to compete for scholarships as National Merit Semifinalists; finalists and National Merit Scholars are chosen from this select pool.

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 both Bryn Mawr’s Commended Scholars, Semifinalists/Finalists and Scholars. The high number of students acknowledged is also remarkable, representing one of the highest percentages of both graduating seniors and girls in the state. Bryn Mawr congratulates all of the recognized students on their achievements and looks forward to hearing about their future academic successes.