Two Irvington students patiently wait to see if they will be the recipients of one the nation’s highest academic honors. Suyash Bhatt and Monica Driscoll have both been selected as 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program Finalists.
“I am excited, and I hope I get it, but now it’s really the selective part,” said Bhatt, an Eagle Scout. “This is the intermediate phase where the competition judges basically have everything they need, but are waiting to see the latest grades and how students have fared during senior year. It’s a wait-and-see kind of game.”
The Irvington High School seniors are among the 15,000 finalists nationwide.
“Getting this far means I have done something right,” said Bhatt. “From a realistic perspective, it’s a long shot, but I am hopeful.”
About half of the finalist will actually go on to win a National Merit Scholarships and earn the prestigious Merit Scholar title.
“I am excited and happy, but I don’t want to be boastful,” said Monica.
There are a total of 2,500 National Merit Scholarships that are worth $2,500 each, which are awarded on a state representational basis. Students become eligible for the honor by qualifying with PSAT exam and a National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test scores. Of those applicants about 16,000 were name semifinalist, which was reduced to a pool of 15,000 finalists.
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