Senior Brodie Anderson has won the National Merit Scholarship with a score of 1500 out of 1520 on the PSAT. With this honor, he received a $4,000 scholarship to the school of his choice.
“The average national on the PSAT is 920 out of 1520,” added Milton High School Guidance Counselor Mr. David Newell.
When Brodie first got the letter saying he was heading to the semi-finals in February, he said he felt excited. “I was excited, but I was calm too,” Brodie added.
He added that he didn’t study for the PSAT, which he took at the high school last year, but added that it was a fair bit easier than the SAT, which he took at Northumberland Christian school last year as well.
With the PSAT, Brodie said he had more time to answer fewer questions. He also said that the questions were easier than on the SAT.
Brodie said he plans to attend the University of North Texas, because of reliable programs he can use for what he wants to be when he gets out of college. Brodie said his scholarship there includes a full ride tuition, with possible room charges being covered too.
He added that he plans to major in music production, helping with directing and making lyrics to music. Brodie said he did not become involved with music until tenth to eleventh grade, and did not even know what he wanted to do before then. He started learning to play guitar halfway through eighth grade, then joined band. The rest of high school is what made him want to star in music.
According to Milton High School Guidance Counselor Ms. Leslie Robinson, every Junior is eligible to take the PSATs in the fall, but not everyone has to take it. It has been around since 1950 and the last student to win the National Merit Scholarship from Milton was in 2009.
Both Brodie and Ms. Robinson have the same advice for all test takers: Get a good night’s sleep and take the practice test online.
