Every year, millions of high school juniors across the United States take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Bloomfield Hills High School is proud to announce that five remarkable 12th-grade students have been named National Merit Scholarship Finalists: Mark Asmar, Preston Cao, Sarah Gaines, Jinglu Jiang, and Aidan Sun. The National Merit Scholarship Program is a highly competitive scholarship program that recognizes outstanding academic achievement. The program recognizes the top 1% of high school seniors across the nation as finalists.

Finalists are selected based on their exceptional scores on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Our school’s finalists had fulfilled several requirements to advance to the Finalist level which include completing an application, having a consistently high academic record, writing an essay, being endorsed and recommended by a school official, and taking the SAT or ACT and earning a score that confirms the PSAT/NMSQT performance. We spoke with our Finalists to hear more about their journeys, study strategies, challenges, and advice for others who want to follow in their footsteps. 

For each of these students, reaching finalist status was no small feat. They shared the reasons they aimed for the scholarship and how they prepared to achieve it. “I wanted to give my best to the PSAT as a way of opening doors to college scholarships and opportunities,” said Aiden Sun. Others cited personal challenges they overcame, from balancing busy schedules to staying motivated during intense study sessions. “Staying consistent was tough, but I found that setting a schedule and breaking down practice into small, achievable goals made it less overwhelming,” said Sarah Gaines, another senior finalist.

Their methodical preparation included using practice tests, online resources, and study strategies to build accuracy. Consistency and incremental progress were key. For many, finding an individualized study rhythm that worked with their schedules made all the difference.

When asked for advice, each finalist emphasized the importance of balance. “Find ways to stay motivated without burning out,” Mark Asmar recommended. “Studying in small chunks was effective for me, and I also made time for activities that helped me recharge.”

Another finalist, Preston Cao, stressed the power of consistent practice: “You don’t have to study for hours on end. Instead, set a routine, even if it’s just 20 minutes a day. Over time, it makes a huge difference.” Their journeys highlight that reaching academic milestones is about the journey as much as the destination.