Your free time depends on your workload, the amount of effort put into homework assignments, and of course, how much you procrastinate. For instance, I competed in a sport last semester and am doing several clubs this semester, and factoring in my tendency to procrastinate, I don’t have much free time OTL My friends who have less classes than me do have more free time than me though, lol. Use any time you have, any of your free mods (whenever you don’t have any classes that period/mod) to catch up on homework so you don’t procrastinate as much (unless you’re somebody like me who procrastinates a lot… hahaha).
While I tend to be reserved in situations, I can’t say I have much knowledge in regards to social anxiety (anyone else who could explain better than me?), but I do think students at IMSA do get along pretty well.
While all of the teachers are exceptional, classes really depend on your teacher (in my opinion) due to their different styles. Expect all classes to be really fast paced and hard, and some teachers of the same discipline may give different amounts of homework (my first English teacher assigned little, but I’m currently drowning in, and procrastinating on, the multiple readings assignments from my current English teacher). As a sophomore, English and History are typically discussion based. Math is varying - MI-2 to MI-4 has a lot of worksheets, but classes after them have a textbook factor as well. For languages, whenever in the classroom you speak 24/7 that language. For instance, If you take Spanish, you speak Spanish the entire period.
@lou123xX
as to the social anxiety question, I know quite a bit about social anxiety, and at least a bit about IMSA (i’ve done a shadow day, tours, and I have a friend that goes there), and I think that you could make it work. I don’t know how sever your social anxiety is, but as far as I can tell the interactions with people are about the same as a normal high school during the school day, and after the ‘learning time’ is over you can vary how much you talk with people. Obviously you would have to communicate at least some with your roommate, but other than that it seems like a normal life experience, in so being that you would have to talk to get someone to do something that you want (ie order food), and that would suck, but wouldn’t be any different than how you would have to in real life. Other than that you would likely have to talk to your RC (Resident Counselor), teachers (if you need help or something), and other people that you choose to converse with. From what I can tell IMSA has a really supportive environment which would help you work around the social anxiety (keeping in mind they can’t take away all interactions). Hope this helps!
So, I just heard that the IMSA campus has been shut down until the 29th as a result of an influenza outbreak. The admissions team mentioned in an email that they will not be able to update the application checklist as a result. I am pretty confused as to what’s happening. Does anyone know the details, and how it impacts the application process? Thanks!
@mrcw42
Pretty sure since apps are what the staff deal with, students don’t know details/how impactful it would be (unless I’m wrong, lol). I’d say imo to keep filling out/updating your app as you go, and finish up your essays and turn them in, if possible…
When you said “update the application checklist,” do you mean applicants are not able to update their apps?
@mrcw42 I think it means that they won’t be able to update stuff like if they got your transcript because that would be mailed to the school, but they can’t get into the school right now.
Also, whoever asked about social anxiety, a nice thing about IMSA is that there is a higher per capita percentage of people with conditions like social anxiety and anxiety in general, so it might be easier for you to find someone you relate to to help you through it.
Additionally, if you let your RC know that you have social anxiety, they would probably be willing to help you minimize interactions with them. For example, someone in my wing has social anxiety so they generally slip notes under the RC’s door to communicate, and you could probably minimize interactions with teachers by using email rather than face to face communication. Again, in general, most IMSA people are willing to make accomodations. I suffer from anxiety and the IMSA community is super friendly and supportive of all of your needs.
@jkhgiop
If you are thinking about applying you need to make up your mind now. IF YOU ARE A 9th GRADER YOU MUST APPLY THIS YEAR before February 1st (I believe) because next year you will not be able to apply. Your chances are very good. I think you have a very high likelihood of getting in, but you need to start NOW and you’ll only have a week to do everything. Your teacher recs and transcript can come in a little late (as in before 2/10/18 ish) and you’d have to register for the March SAT.
@mrcw42 It is definitely facebook. We don’t have announcements or anything, all of that stuff goes on facebook. If you do not have a facebook, it is definitely 100% in your best interests to get one.
EDIT: Best of luck everyone, please don’t wait until 11:50 tomorrow to turn in your application. The server can crash and it can lag. Good luck, can’t wait to see you all here next year!
What would you all think of my chances of being accepted?
STATS:
Asian Female from Schaumburg
7th Grade gpa: 4.0
8th Grade gpa: 3.7
9th Grade gpa: 3.2
Exceptional circumstances:
My sister has anxiety and depression, so I have taken on the role of making sure she is taking care of herself and making sure she has someone to talk to, and it’s really hard to see your sister suffering and being so upset. My younger brother has ADHD, ODD, & ADD. He is really gifted and enjoys science and mathematics as I do, so I spend a lot of time immersing him into science and teaching him JavaScript. My parents tell me to help him with his assignments because he cannot concentrate enough to finish work he should have completed during the school day. It takes him a long time to do his homework, so I spend 2-3 hours a day helping him finish everything on his rigorous schedule because he is in the Discovery program (an accelerated program) at his junior high. Recently, my youngest first cousin was diagnosed with autism caused by neurological delayed development from Lyme Disease he got when he was between the ages of 1-2. He is 5 years old now and goes to the autism learning program at Hale Elementary. I am very close to his side of the family because my father and his brother married my mother and her sister, respectively. Bikram is like a little brother to me, and since he has a hard time making friends, he has turned to his “siblings” to play and learn with. I have taught him to say a few words to convey what he wants,and I potty trained him over last years summer. I babysit
him a lot on the weekdays while his parents work long hours during the day. I love Bikram a lot, and he enjoys my company, however, watching him constantly gives me little to no time t o d o m y h o m e w o r k o r s t u d y. A s h i s n e e d s h a v e b e c o m e r e l e v a n t , I h a v e g o t t e n w o r s e grades because I can’t study at night or do my homework until my study hall during the school day
Sat score: 660 writing, 680 math
Award #1
National Fluid Power Association “ Best Portfolio” Award at Fluid Power Challenge Competition
Award #2
School District 54 Ambassador Of Excellence Award- recognized by the school district board for leadership and academic excellence
Award #3
Athletic Awards: 1) 3rd place at Conferences, 1600 m run (track & field) 2) 5th place at Conferences, 1600m run (track & field) 3) 16th place at Conferences, cross country 4) Spring Open 2016, 2nd place combat sparring (martial arts) 5) Spring Open 2016, 3rd place forms (martial arts) 6) Kennedy’s Martial Arts Academy In-School Tournament 2017, 2nd place weapons forms (martial arts)
Activities:
Congressional Debate Team
Martial arts (first degree black belt)
Health Occupation Students Of America
Cougar Service Club
All adult community band (with the exception of me)
@buttercup04
Firstly, it seems like you do a lot for you family and are very committed to them, and I don’t think I could do half the things you do. Your patience is impressive.
I do not know how much they take into account special circumstances, but assuming they disregard your low GPA, I would say your main issue is a dire lack of STEM based clubs and awards. There’s not much you can do now, but assuming your classwork is heavily STEM based, your math and science teachers write you amazing recommendations, and your essay about STEM is great, you have a chance. Anyway, don’t worry about it now, best of luck!
Thank you so much! On my 9th Grade Transcript it shows why my GPA is low, because I have 4 B+’s and they round down to Bs, and I took:
STEM 1 Foundations
Accelerated Biology
Media Production
AP Computer Science Principles
I also have taken 4 summer camps about STEM (VEX Robotics, Coding, FUSE, and Rocketry)
Did anybody else here also do National Fluid Power Challenge?
I thinks my recs should be good, because the two teachers who told me to apply are doing my science and optional recommendations.
Can anyone answer this question:
Has anybody ever gone to excel? I think that even if I got in, I would most likely go.
Everyone, please share if you get in or not! The wait till May begins
I was going to, but I forgot to say I was on my application so I don’t think I can now. Anyways, do you think IMSA looks for a well rounded student or an entirely math/science based students? I mean, does IMSA care about fine arts extracurriculars?
I would say both are fine. I know friends that are well rounded, and some that are very invested into STEM related activities. I’d say myself I’m more well-rounded lol.