Three Niwot High students honored as National Merit Semifinalists

When high school students take the preliminary scholastic assessment test (PSAT) in their junior year, some know that they are starting down a long path that could open college doors wide for them.

Some just take the test to practice for the SAT.

There is some controversy in the U.S around college assessment tests. Some schools have made SAT and ACT score reporting on college applications optional, notably Colorado College, Caltech, and the entire California State University system.

While the future of standardized testing is uncertain, the PSAT continues to be the gateway for students to enter a process that can earn them recognition and scholarships.

The full name of the PSAT is PSAT/NMSQT, or Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

When a high score on this test is combined with a stellar high school academic career, becoming a National Merit Scholar can assist student ambitions toward being accepted at and paying for top schools.

Three Niwot High School seniors are on the National Merit path right now. Sid Bhushan, Jeff Hew, and Carter Kruse all took the PSAT last year during their junior year, and all earned high scores.

At the time, each suspected that their score may earn them the distinction as a National Merit Semifinalist. However, qualifying scores are based on a percentage of all the tests taken in that given year, so the line can shift from year to year.

Earlier in September, their status was solidified. All three were named National Merit Semifinalists, an honor which is offered to only around 16,000 students across the United States, based on standards and scores placing them at the very top among their fellow Coloradoans.

This distinction is an honor by itself, and it also offers the awarded students the opportunity to apply to be a National Merit Finalist.

Semifinalists are narrowed down to finalists via an application, and then the top 7,600 finalists receive National Merit Scholarships in the spring of their graduating year.

Bhushan, Carter, and Hew are all high achieving students in the classroom and in their chosen extracurricular activities. All three plan to enter college after they graduate from Niwot High School in the spring 2021, and their academic paths all relate to STEM fields. And all three now have the opportunity to apply to receive National Merit Scholarships when they enter school.

Sid Bhushan said he is "interested in both computer programming and natural languages, and would like to work in a field where I can combine these two interests, such as natural language processing."

He has been on a local robotics team, Up-A-Creek Robotics, since the eigth grade, and he is a leader in this group, "responsible for programming software for the team, such as a member management system and a data collection app for strategic decision making at competitions."

Bhushan doesn't know where he wants to go to college yet and is looking at applying "at a lot of places."

Jeff Hew has "always been a very STEM oriented student and found those classes to be the easiest."

Hew, who is already also working on parallel potential career paths in photography and streaming games, said computer science is the best academic track to take.

"I plan on studying computer science in my undergrad and then going into data science during grad school." said Hew. "I've always liked math and I think computer science is a great place to apply it. Coding is super important in today's world, and I believe it has so many applications."

Carter Kruse is looking toward computer science too, although he is taking a broader view. He said, "I think it is important to keep my options open as I take undergraduate courses and develop my interests. While I am currently undecided, I will likely study a field in the STEM category, more specifically a discipline of computer science, mathematics, or physics/engineering."

Kruse is starting to think about colleges and universities, and said he is "currently considering a variety of options, yet I am still trying to narrow down the list of colleges I plan to submit applications to."

While each of the three semifinalists felt honored, they also spoke individually about how humbled they feel and expressed their gratitude to family and community for supporting them along the path. They are aware of and spoke about the complications of this sort of award.

Mentioning Caltech's decision to go "test-blind" this year, Kruse said, "While this is partially due to COVID, I think it reflects the shift from placing emphasis on test scores to considering a more holistic review of a student as they apply for college and/or scholarships."

Hew said, "I want people to recognize that grades and test scores aren't the most important thing. The prestige of your college and your high school GPA isn't going to matter that much.

"While you're still in high school, try to make the best of it. Your life is only getting busier unfortunately, and I think taking the time to meet amazing people and develop your own passions is going to be much more fulfilling than being able to show off your test scores later down the road."