Seven IUSD Students Win National Merit Scholarships

High school students were selected to each receive a $2500 baccaulareate scholarship for their strong combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.
National Merit Scholars

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation recently announced 2,500 Merit Scholar designees, chosen from a talented pool of more than 15,000 Finalists across the country. Seven IUSD high school students were selected to each receive a $2500 baccaulareate scholarship for their strong combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

Congratulations to the scholarship recipients and here is what they plan to study in college: 

  • Neha Bhardwaj, University High School, computer science
  • Richard Fang, Irvine High School, computer science
  • Lana Minjung Hwang, Northwood High School, psychiatry
  • Gina Lee, Portola High School, materials engineering
  • Howard K. Zhang, Portola High School, law
  • Andy Q. Zhu, Northwood High School, computer science
  • Ryain Liu, Northwood High School, physics

These scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors who evaluated students based on their: academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test; contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the Finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.