Bennett Christofferson

1. How did you feel when you heard that you were the finalist for the National Merit Scholarship?

Excited because my brother was also a finalist, and I wasn’t about to let him hold that over me.

2. What are some characteristics you believe helped you achieve this award?

Hard work, perseverance, and the ability to do well on standardized tests (mostly the third one).

3. What is your academic area of passion and why?

Math because it’s interesting and I’m good at it.

4. What are you planning to pursue in college?

Something math related? Not exactly sure yet I’ll figure it out.

5. Do you know where you are going to college?

The University of Southern California.

6. What did you choose to write about in your main essay for the National Merit application? And why was it meaningful to you?

I copy and pasted my personal essay from the Common App about climbing down a mountain with a broken ankle. I chose this topic because it was a good essay already, and I didn’t feel like writing a new one.