Mt. Juliet High School's National Merit Semifinalist

One of Mt. Juliet High School’s very own seniors, Shashank Lahoti ('26), was named a National Merit Semifinalist. About 1.5 million students take the PSAT/NMSQT, but only about 16,000 students are semifinalists. Despite the large amount of test-takers, being named a semifinalist is still such a high honor.

“[I] was pretty surprised because I thought my score wasn't high enough to qualify. That specific time I was feeling a mix of excitement and surprise because I knew what being a semifinalist meant, but I didn't think it would be me," said Lahoti.

To qualify, your score must be high enough, but there's not much that the test-taker must do. After taking the test, they’re informed and don't really have to do anything until they're told the news.

Lahoti took the ACT the week after the PSAT, so his strategy to study was to just study the content for both. Although the tests are structured very differently, they both test a student's knowledge.

“My main tactic was just doing a lot of practice tests and understanding the patterns that the questions have, basically finding the best way to do a question that appears many times," he said.

Like many other students, Lahoti is involved in other activities outside of school. It can be complicated to try and balance classes, homework, sports, clubs, and maybe a job for some. When having tests like these, that adds another thing to study for. Even so, he made time to prepare for the PSAT.

Lahoti said, “For me, I studied for the test heavily during spring break so I was able to manage. However, while approaching the test date, I just tried my best to go through as many practice tests as possible and watch videos on YouTube to review.”

For many this is a goal in itself, but it can also be a stepping stone. It can open up more opportunities for success.

"Being a semifinalist is just recognition for work that I actually like to do. I like studying mathematics, reading news articles, and just exploring; being a semifinalist is like a stamp of approval that I'm good at what I do," Lahoti said.

Like many other students, Lahoti plans on going to college and getting enough financial help to pay for it. He wants to pursue computational biology and earn a doctorate.

He said, “My advice for underclassmen is simple: spend time doing what you, in fact, spend so much time that no one can question your best at it. Finding a passion early lets you become the best at what you do.”

Even though he wasn't the only one, it is a great honor and accomplishment for Lahoti to be named a semifinalist and share his story with others.