University View Academy senior Minh Tran was recently announced as a National Merit Semifinalist in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Recipients of this recognition are academically talented high school seniors who have earned an opportunity to continue in the competition for over 7,000 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring.
Program participants must take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The nationwide pool of semifinalists is made up of the highest-scoring entrants in each state. Less than one percent of high school seniors across the country are awarded this status annually. To advance to the finalist level, Tran must submit a detailed application demonstrating an outstanding academic record throughout high school. Scholarship recipients will be announced in April 2024.
A resident of Calcasieu Parish, Tran has attended UVA since 2019. He is currently enrolled in the Early College Program and is a member of Beta Club. He also enjoys karate classes and helping his parents around the house. “UVA has always been a good learning environment for me, allowing me to balance my studies with other activities,” Tran shared via email. “This is the culmination of hard work and years of practice on standardized tests.”
Tran is no stranger to academic achievement. Last spring, he scored a perfect 36 on the ACT exam as a junior. He is also a distinguished chess player and has represented Louisiana in the GM Arnold Denker National Tournament of High School State Champions for the past three years. He has earned the ranking as a top 100 chess player in his age group.
“Education is very important to me and my husband,” shared Tran’s mother, Thu Landry, via email. “His accomplishment means that he is prepared for college and can be responsible for his own education and his future.”
After graduation, Tran plans to major in computer science or a related field. UVA is proud to celebrate Tran’s accomplishments, hard work, and commitment to excellence. These impressive accomplishments underscore his desire to be ready for college and beyond.