Senior Adam Wolf wasn’t shocked when he received the news that he was a National Merit finalist this week. He had known his PSAT/NMSQT score was likely high enough and that his hard work had paid off.

The PSAT/NMSQT is administered to the entire junior class each fall. Wolf prepared for the test with practice problems and tests, taking time out of the summer to study. 

“That was the biggest obstacle – just taking away your own free time to do something that will eventually give you a better result,” Wolf said.

Wolf plans to attend the University of Alabama after earning a National Merit finalist scholarship, which will pay for five years of his education. He plans to pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering. 

Wolf is in STEM Practicum, and leaves school after lunch each day to intern at CDI Energy Products. 

“It’s interesting, because it entails a lot of smaller things with the amount of projects they’re working on,” Wolf said. “I would say it’s a pretty low workload, but also the office space aura is something you just have to get used to.”

The hardworking senior is ranked No. 5 in the senior class and has been on the UIL Academic Team since his sophomore year. He is also in all AP classes this year, including AP Literature, AP Calculus, AP Biology, AP Government and AP Economics. 

“I put my focus into each one on its own, and I feel pretty confident about them,” Wolf said. 

He was glad he also focused on the PSAT/NMSQT. He encourages current sophomores to also get a head start by preparing over the summer.

“Commit to it,” he said. “Because it’s one of those things where you have one opportunity to do it.”