Austin Prep senior named National Merit Scholar

Senior Emma Tilley of Billerica has been selected as a National Merit Scholar.

Emma, a senior at Austin Preparatory School in Reading, is one of only 2,500 seniors from across the country to earn this achievement, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. More than 1.5 million students qualify initially by receiving high scores on the PSATs. From there, the list is cut twice more before the Scholars are chosen.

Recipients are judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in vigorous college studies. Scholars are selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who look at the following criteria: academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from two standardized tests; contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.

Emma is extremely active at Austin Prep and is valedictorian of the Class of 2016. In addition to being a high achiever academically, she has been a member of Spanish Peer Tutors and Academic Decathlon for three years. She has also been a member of the Sci-Fi Club and Anime Club for four years. She is one of two students who have been trusted to work in the school’s Main Office over the summer.

As a National Merit Scholar, Emma receives a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship which she will use at Brown University this fall.