The recognition follows a multistep national competition that began when students took the PSAT/NMSQT during their junior year. For the 2027 program, about 1.3 million students entered the competition. National Merit Scholarship Corporation uses Selection Index scores from the test’s Reading and Writing and Math sections to identify approximately 50,000 high-scoring participants for program recognition.
More than 16,000 students nationwide, representing less than 1 percent of the nation’s graduating high school seniors, qualify as Semifinalists. Students are selected on a state-representational basis, with the distinction recognizing individual academic performance rather than serving as a measure of a school or district.
The Westfield students may now continue toward Finalist standing by meeting the program’s additional requirements and submitting the required materials through their school. National Merit expects about 95 percent of Semifinalists to advance to Finalist standing.
Finalists will compete next spring for approximately 6,700 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $24 million. About half of the Finalists are expected to receive a scholarship and earn the Merit Scholar title. Finalist notices are expected in February 2027, followed by scholarship announcements in the spring and summer.