Eastside Catholic School is pleased to announce senior Om Sareen has been named National Merit Scholarship Finalist, recognizing his exceptional academic achievements. Om joins approximately 15,000 high school seniors nationwide who have earned this distinction.

High School Principal Soonja Larsen praised Om’s achievements: We are so proud of Om Sareen being named a National Merit Finalist! Om is a hard-working, dedicated student who has excelled in and out of the classroom and it is no surprise that he is receiving this honor. He truly embodies our Touchstones of Academic Excellence, Servant Leadership and Relationships. Congratulations, Om!

As a finalist, Om is eligible to compete for 6,870 National Merit Scholarships, collectively worth approximately $17 million, which will be awarded in the coming months.

“I’m so glad to have been recognized for this award at a national level, but I also believe that the PSAT is not an end-all-be-all,” Om said. “There are different priorities, and so while I’m super glad to have received this award, it’s also equally important to strive for excellence in other areas.”

The National Merit Scholarship Program is a highly competitive academic recognition, with more than 1.3 million students qualifying by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, representing less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring students from each state. Finalists are selected based on their skills, accomplishments and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

Eastside Catholic is especially proud to note that Om is also a graduate of our middle school, reflecting the strength of our comprehensive educational program. He recently shared his future goals and offered thoughtful advice for younger students.

Om Sareen plans to pursue pre-medicine in college, eventually combining his passion for biology and chemistry in medical school. He advises underclassmen, “Explore around, talk to people and do activities that you’re passionate about. If you do an activity specifically for a college application, you'll be miserable. Of course, don’t do nothing. Take hard classes because they help you learn, not because they look good on a transcript. Do an activity because you’re genuinely interested in it. Volunteer to see how others life their lives. If you follow these steps, you'll  grow your college application just fine while being happy while doing it."

Eastside Catholic School commends Om for his remarkable achievements. His success is a testament to his dedication and hard work, and the supportive and nurturing environment that Eastside Catholic fosters for all students.