IMSA Applicant Class of 2022

@vb2004 I can’t speak for an upperclassman, but I haven’t been overwhelmed yet at all

@vb2004

homework load for sophs seems like it’s completely dependant on teachers/courses. Some of my friends (like @just_try ) have very little homework typically, but I usually have at least a couple hours a night due to different teachers even though we have the same courses. Also, things like which sciences you have during the same semester will really affect how much homework you do. It’s not really something you can predict until schedules come out.

@vb2004 it also really depends on if you have free mods that you can work on hw. The way my schedule is arranged I have the last three classes off on Tuesday’s, so I have less homework to do later since I do a majority of it then.

@vb2004

another thing I forgot to mention is foreign language. if you start in a level 1 language, you likely won’t have a ton of homework. I started in french 2 and we get a lot of homework, with daily assignments, two ongoing biweekly journals, and long term projects.

Hello! I am an eighth grader applying to IMSA and I’m looking into finding a tutor for the SAT. My math score needs rasing, and my reading could probably use a bump too. Test’s aren’t my forte, my current scores are 630 for reading and 540 for math. I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for SAT tutors or services they found helpful? Thanks!

For the essays in the application, would it be better to go with an avant-garde format, to really stand out to the admissions department?

@nerdgirlwith_dreams

I don’t know about any tutors, but I definitely recommend khan academy!

@PhoenixRises

it really depends on what you feel comfortable with and think you can impress them more with. I wrote all of mine in a standard format just because I was relying on what I was saying and my other writing skills, but if you think that a different format would help your essay seem better and you’re comfortable writing it that way, do it

Hey Guys,
I took the SAT and wasn’t too happy with my score . I did get a 1330 (730 Math, 600 Reading), do you think I’ll be selective enough to apply/get into IMSA or should I really put in the effort to try and take it again?

hi, can someone chance me please? really nervous about this application haha

STATS:
Ethinicity: Asian
Gender: Female
Region: Chicago Suburbs
Grade: 9th
GPA: 9th- straight As so far, 8th- 4.0, 6th- 4.0
*skipped 7th grade
March 2018 SAT: 630 Math, 680 EBRW (tbh didn’t really study, retaking for a better score)

ECs:
Piano- 4 hours a week
Mathletes- 3 hours (if there’s a competition it’s an additional 4 hours) a week
Speech/ Debate Class- 4 hours a week (I’m trying to start a debate team at our school)
Art- 3 hours a week
Robotics- 5 hours a week
World Language Club- 1 hour a week
Computer Programming- 2 hours a week

I have a couple volunteer hours, and I’m planning to do more over holiday breaks

Awards:

  • 2nd Place Illinois Music Association piano competition
  • Passed lvl 9 AIM (it’s a music theory and piano test with 12 total levels)
  • 2017 Econ Illinois Economic Concepts Poster Contest state winner
  • Qualified for Mathcounts state (but didn’t do very well in state)
  • 4th place team for 2018 Mathcounts Chapter
  • MS SDEAA conference champions for Scholastic Bowl
  • MS SDEAA conference champions for Volleyball
  • 1st place at a regional math competition
  • Invited to Northwestern CTD’s 2017 NUMATS Award Ceremony (top 2% composite, top 1% EBRW for PSAT)
  • a lot of school art awards
  • Young Women’s Science and Math Award (from school)

Courses:
English I Honors
Integrated Math I Honors
Digital Art
German I
AP Human Geo
Bio Honors
Tech Concepts (2nd semester)

and does anyone know if Northwestern CTD’s summer camp courses count as an “unusually rigorous academic program”? I took Here’s the Pitch- Ideas to IPO (an entrepreneur class). It’s at least 75 hours of class (not including homework) packed into a 3 week summer program (minus weekends) and counts for high school credit.

thanks for your time.

@topCShopeful It really depends on your other things. If you studied a bit and then had the time and money to retake I would, because while sat are most certainly not everything, improving in them is worth at least a bit.
@asdf000 I would say you have a fair chance, if you retake the sat that’ll be good, and also if you get good recs and essays of course. In general those are the two most important, but you do have a really good setup not knowing how those two things are going to turn out.

Does IMSA look at percentages for each grade or only the letter grade?

@just_try Thanks for your response, However I would like to know whether my score is competitive or not for IMSA applications. Do you have any idea by chance? Additionally, how does the placement test work and what kind of topics are on it?

It really depends on the other parts of your app. You can get in with that score, but it really depends. Also the placement test has everything from algebra to calculus on it. Details are sent out after acceptance letters. Also, I’m not sure about whether or not they look at percentages or letter grades.

@topCShopeful

I’m guessing your SAT score is high enough, most people I know here have around a 600 reading and 730 math is higher than average I think. However, if you can get it higher, that definitely won’t hurt.

@asdf000

you sound like a good applicant, but you are in a very competitive region. on the application, there is only room to put 4 extracurriculars and 4 awards, so which 4 of those would you be putting?

@lit2120

I believe they only look at letter grades since most schools only put letter grades on the transcript

@just_try thanks for your response. I would like to believe that I am a good writer, but you never know. My recs should be pretty solid though, my teachers do seem to like me.

What do you guys think a good score for an 8th grader to get in for IMSA is?
My extracurriculars, awards, and teacher recs are good

A good score for the SAT

@asdf000 I’m not a great writer and here I am, but overall you just have to show your points well, it doesn’t need to be fantastic.

@7bean3 yeah, I’m kinda hoping they look at more specific regions. The current application asks for 5 ecs and 3 awards, and I’ll probably put the ecs that I am most committed to and then corresponding awards. Would it be better if I put programming instead of art or piano? And do you think I could combine qualifying for mathcounts state and placing 4th as a team in mathcounts chapter into one award?