![Five students stand in a row outside with green grass and trees behind them.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1789591407/usmk12org/yns3iin4vshkctlvclam/20260910BC-USMeritScholarsFinalists-5_WR.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1789591407/usmk12org/yns3iin4vshkctlvclam/20260910BC-USMeritScholarsFinalists-5_WR.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1789591407/usmk12org/yns3iin4vshkctlvclam/20260910BC-USMeritScholarsFinalists-5_WR.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1789591407/usmk12org/yns3iin4vshkctlvclam/20260910BC-USMeritScholarsFinalists-5_WR.jpg","width":1000}])
Seven University School of Milwaukee students have been named Semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Competition. Congratulations to the following seniors (pictured, from left) Jake Raymond, Simrin Patel, Elina Cheng, Grace Chen, and Max Miller, and (not pictured) Sami El-Hajjar and Bianca Ladd.
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation honors academic excellence by awarding scholarships to the nation’s top students each year. Approximately 16,000 students were named Semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2026 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, with less than 1% receiving recognition as Semifinalists.
These students have the opportunity next spring to compete for some 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million. To be considered for a scholarship, students must advance to the Finalist level of the competition. Winners are chosen based on their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnicity, origin, or religious preference.