Tippecanoe High School senior Zicheng Guo has earned one of the nation’s highest academic honors by being named a National Merit Finalist.
The distinction is awarded to a select group of high-achieving students nationwide for exceptional academic performance, strong PSAT/NMSQT scores, and a record of excellence throughout high school. For Guo, the recognition reflects years of dedication in the classroom and a clear focus on academic success.
“I was pleasantly surprised by my finalist ranking,” Guo said. “Academic performance has always been my specialty, and earning the finalist status reinforces that.”
At Tippecanoe High School, Guo has developed a reputation for academic excellence while taking on a rigorous course load. He said AP English has been his most challenging class, particularly because of the demands of writing high-quality essays within a limited amount of time.
Outside the classroom, Guo participates in the THS Quiz Team and a community service group. He said Quiz Team has had the greatest impact on his high school experience because it is a regular part of his weekly routine and has given him an opportunity to engage with others in academic competitions.
Guo plans to attend college after graduation and is currently considering Ohio State University as his top choice, with MIT also under consideration. He intends to study computer science or computer engineering and has a particular interest in computer programming.
He also credits both his parents and his teachers as important influences in his life and in his academic journey.
As a National Merit Finalist, Guo hopes younger students will understand the importance of preparation and persistence, encouraging them to value consistent effort and strategic studying in their academic pursuits.
“For getting a good score on the ACT/SAT, I recommend doing a lot of practice tests, going over what questions you got wrong, and then practicing answering questions in the categories of questions you got wrong,” Guo said. “Remember: you can take the standardized tests more than once, so don't feel pressured to get it all right in 1 try!”
About 50,000 academically talented students are recognized in the National Merit Scholarship Program each year, but only about 16,000 are named Semifinalists. From that group, about 95% advance to Finalist standing, which means there are typically more than 15,000 Finalists nationwide. Semifinalists represent less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors. Of the Finalists, about half will receive a National Merit Scholarship, and about 6,930 scholarships are awarded in the program.
Guo’s recognition as a National Merit Finalist exemplifies the dedication, discipline, and excellence that prepare students for success beyond high school.