@BhattM
I would say 650~ typically apply.
@birdie02 that’s pretty large. Thanks
1 month down, 2 more to go…
I was wondering if someone could let me know my chances of getting into IMSA this year
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Asian
Grade: 8th
GPA: 4.0, all A’s
SAT: 670 math, 590 reading I am taking the SAT once again in March 2018 and hope to get a 770 Math and 670 English
Region: Chicago Suburbs
ECS:
Robotics
Debate club
STEM volunteering
Basketball
AMC 8 Math Club
Orchestra (Cello)
Awards:
Robotics state award
Math club awards (regional)
Debate award
Leadership award from STEM volunteering
Essays/Evaluations
Essays: All pretty good
Teacher Evaluations: I think I got great recommendations
Optional evaluation: Got it from robotics leader, I think that is also pretty good.
On another IMSA forum, I heard that for 8th graders they focus more on SAT scores & GPA, while for 9th graders they place a lot of emphasis on essays
Thanks 
We can’t change any award or activity information now. IMSA sent out an email to applicants that said, we are evaluating you based on who you were as of February 1, 2018.
From stats, it seems that the number of boys & girls accepted are similar (like 130). But, more boys apply, so it is more competitive for boys to get into the top 130.
@theonesun333
I think your application is pretty strong if you do get those SAT scores this March. Good luck!
@birdie02 Thanks for your feedback! If I don’t get accepted this year, as an 8th grader, I hope to at least receive an 8th grade interview. I heard that if you get this, you have a very high chance of getting in, in 9th grade. BTW, are you applying this year?
@theonesun333
No, I’m a current IMSA student. Sorry for my short response before, I was replying during lunch (aka rush hour at IMSA).
I actually applied during 8th grade as well, using the application more for building experience in applying than seriously wanting to get in during that time. My chances were slim then lmao, even if for some reason I got in then I would’ve deferred for a year and applied again during 9th grade, which I did, and got in. Speaking from my experience, I would say even if you didn’t get an 8th grade interview, chill (in which I didn’t get lmao). Just work hard and continue to aim for IMSA. But this is speaking from my experiences, as I dunno how it works for other 8th and 9th grade applicants.
@birdie02 Do you mind sharing some of your application stats? Also, do you think that trying in 8th grade helped you get accepted in 9th grade? Thanks
@theonesun333
Copying my app stats from my post in the class of 2020 forum (I’m a sophomore) lmao:
- asian freshman girl from Chicagoland
- don't believe anyone will apply from my school.
ACADEMICS
SATs - math is 760, English is 630
GPA - classes are all high honors, when unweighted is 3.6-ish…
ECs/AWARDS (not listing all awards though)
- SciOly: 7th-8th; multiple medals at regionals/sectionals and a 4th place at state in 8th
- mathcounts/math team: 5th-9th
- compsci club: 9th
- FLL: 6th grade
- FTC: 8th-9th grade; went to state last year
- cross country 8th-9th
- orchestra 5th-9th (violin)
- piano since I was 4; multiple local awards
Lmao looking back at my GPA idk how I even got into IMSA.
Moving forward, question about trying in 8th grade helps getting into 9th y/n - I would say it’s pretty good for filling out app experience (e.g. I knew what kind of essays to write, as they were similar), but that’s the only thing I can say about it. As you said before, the only way for 8th graders to be accepted (at least for the most part, I believe) is to have the 8th grade interview.
Pro-tip: If you don’t get in or don’t get as high SAT scores as you wanted, try doing SAT this coming June. That way, you don’t have to stress it over during your freshman school year. cough that’s what I did lmao
Hopefully this is helpful? Lmao. Don’t stress about it too much (imo).
I play piano, and I was wondering if anyone knows whether or not there are practice rooms or something equivalent at IMSA. I mean, I’m pretty sure that there are many people there who play some sort of musical instrument, so wouldn’t there be something of the sort?
@mrcw42
Yes, there are! I play the piano myself, and there are multiple piano rooms for students to use to practice any instrument
@birdie02 Good to know. Are they open whenever, or do you have to schedule a practice time prior to using the room? If you do have to pre-schedule anything, how difficult is it to secure a spot? Thanks.
Oh also, what are the pianos like? I’m not really talking about the brand or anything like that, I’m just wondering if they are bad or not…
Practice rooms are typically open from 7am-10pm. No scheduling is needed (that’d be tedious imo) but if all of the practice rooms are being used then sucks for you, gotta try at a later time. In regards to managing your schedule and practice time, I would say if you’re persistent and get there right after school, you should be able to procure a spot. If you have a free mod, (my advice to you would be to) practice then, because then you’ll save time, and not as much people play during a free mod, so more pianos open for you! imo, (by my logic) the best times to play the piano would be during a free mod or anytime after 7pm.
Pianos have a range of quality. None of them are pristine perfect, not going to lie. One piano has a G string missing, the other’s weighting is weird (in which the upper-range is very soft and can’t really give much of a forte). The others either have very low-weighted keys (in which you press down soft and they’re quite loud already – not much of a dynamic range OTL) or are kind of out of tune (yikes).
I believe that coming to IMSA you kind of have to give up a dream of a good piano, because none of them are the best. But anybody who continues to play the piano at IMSA accept that their dedication is valued much more than the quality of the pianos.
Woooooooo guess who lost track of time bc they’re ranting too much and have to get back to an essay ahaha but either way hopefully this was good content and not a waste of time and if you have any other questions ask me! love answering questions and feeling not useless for once ahaha
@birdie02 Thanks that was quite helpful tbh.
I’m not in the advanced program at my school, do you think that will affect my admission decision?
Not 100% sure because I’m not part of the selection committee but I would think so, because it affects your GPA – as in, its possible that your GPA be different if you are in the advanced program.
Speaking of the selection committee, I think they’re currently (these couple days) reviewing applications! My teachers are going missing because they’re on the committee (well at least 2 or 3 of them lmao)
I’m so scared, March SAT scores release this Friday!
What do you think would be a good SAT score for me, to get an 8th grade interview, alongside the rest of my application?
All are hypothetical (I’m not the selection committee) but I believe around 1300 is good (don’t take my word for it). I’d aim for mid-1300s to low-1400s.