Thank you. Also, since I live in the Chicago area I’m assuming there is really tough competition. What would be a good SAT score? I’ve taken one practice test and score an 1250 ( that’s obviously low ). Would you like to correspond over text, email, etc.?
Since you’re in the Chicago area, I would say that the SAT score range that you should aim for is around 1350, with a 700 in the math section and a 650 in the reading and writing sections. Of course, getting a higher score on one section for one test can be used to your advantage, as IMSA allows for superscoring. And I can’t share contact info, as CC is really strict on sharing such details, but if I could, I would.
It’s fine! Have you started your application? I don’t know if I should start or not.
Yes, you should start it as soon as you can.
Hi! I am a Freshman reapplying to IMSA and would be so grateful if someone could look at my possible application points and offer insightful information so I could better my chances for admission.
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Gender: Male
Region: Lincolnshire, IL
Grade: 9th
GPA: 4.00 7th, 8th, and (so far) 9th unweighted
SAT:
- Math: 780
- Reading/Writing: 700
Extracurriculars:
- Talented Young Mathematicians Program
- Jazz Band
- Swim team
- Water polo team
- Science Olympiad
- Piano
Awards:
- Noetic Math medals for top 5 in class and national honor roll medals
- Graduated Valedictorian of my 8th grade
- Performing arts award in middle school
- Scholastic Bowl 2nd place medal
- Spelling Bee champion at school and took 7th at regionals
Volunteering:
- Constantly volunteer at a hospital
- Give-a-thon leader to support a family by raising money
- Bernie’s Book Bank
- FMSC
IMSA Experiences:
- 8th Grade Interview
- 2-hour tour
- Preview Day
- Shadow Day
I was also advised to include information about the struggles of being first-generation during my 8th-grade interview.
Thank you,
A.K.
Your stats are very impressive! In my opinion many people would say improve your reading/writing score to around the same as math.
I’m an 8th grader looking to apply and I’m taking the Keystone online biology with lab course (just paid today) but I didn’t request any transcripts or anything, how exactly do I do that and if I was supposed to that while registering (which I obviously didn’t) what should I do now?
Hi! I’m applying this year but don’t have any math, science, engineering or technology awards. I have awards outside of that, and I have extracurriculars in the sciences. Does anyone think that will affect my chances?
Hi! I am also an applicant for the class of 2023, and I think it is great that you are involved in the sciences, and yes it is probably better to have awards in areas of math and science (STEM) so try looking into more opportunities for awards if possible. However, if you do not have any in that area you should still have a good chance considering there are many other factors of your application that come into play. Best of luck!
Okay, thank you!
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Hey everybody, I’m a ninth grader applying for the class of 2023. I was hoping to clarify some questions.
- Even though I’m from Chicagoland, would I still have a good chance of getting in if my community has relatively low applicants?
- If we don’t have specific stem awards, will that deter us from getting accepted?
Additionally, my grades in middle school for math were always high, I’ve gotten a consistent 4.0 gpa in middle school. I’m taking the SAT tomorrow actually but my practice scores usually are around 1200-1300.
Would my chances of being accepted be fairly low or high?
That’s all I could remember at the top of my head 
I am applying from the wheeling area I Chicagoland
7th grade GPA: 4.0
8th grade GPA: 4.0
9th grade GPA: not confirmed but all As
SAT scores: around 1200-1300
Courses
AP Human Geo
Honors Biology
Spanish 2 (korean is my native language)
Honors Algebra 2/pre calc
Honors written oral communications
Extra Curriculars:
Math team
Orchesis (dance team)
Chamber Orchestra (highest)
Freshman orchestra
Swim team
Water polo
Awards:
Presidential Award from 8th grade
That’s it 
How can I improve my admission before it’s too late?
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/massachusetts-institute-technology/939227-reminder-no-one-not-even-me-can-give-you-an-accurate-chance-at-mit-p1.html This post was written for MIT admissions but please keep in mind that no one can accurately predict your chances of being accepted from stats in a forum post! And don’t let that stop you from applying if you really do want to go to IMSA, the only way to not get in for sure is to not apply!
That being said, questions about what academics and general life at IMSA are like are very much welcomed 
Hey I just want to know how I can improve my awards and achievements. That’s the only part I’m worried about.
Conrad Spirit of Innovation Challenge Semi-Finalist [8th Grade, INTERNATIONAL]
NFTE World Series of Innovation Finalist [8th Grade, INTERNATIONAL]
AMC 10 Math Contest Certificate of Distinction [8th Grade, NATIONAL, Scored in top 1% of the nation]
AMC 10 Math Contest Certificate of Achievement [8th Grade, NATIONAL, Scored in top 2% of 8th Graders and below in the nation]
AMC 8 Math Contest Honor Roll Certificate [8th Grade, NATIONAL, Scored in top 5% of the nation]
3M Young Scientist Challenge State Merit Winner [7th Grade, State]
A bunch of local STEM awards like math counts.
My second question is about the difference between priority applications, which are due on February 1, and late applications, which are due on March 1.
I’m also from Naperville, which is a pretty competitive area.
Hello, I am from central Illinois about 2 hours from Aurora. I got 1210 on my SAT with a 530 on math, but I got a 680 on reading. I am good at scientific analysis, but I am only good at math once I have been taught. How would I convey this?
@Rnboz15
With your situation, I would suggest that you branch out and learn math on your own besides on being dependent on only the limited amount of material covered at your school. I would also strongly recommend that you retake the SAT to get a better SAT math score because . . . well, it is the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. Good luck.
Hey guys, I was wondering if the rule still applies to the activities and awards section, as I have not seen a rule limiting the amount of awards to only 3. Are we allowed to write an unlimited amount of awards?
Hi, my name is Shanan and I was just wondering if anyone could tell me if my application looks good or any ways to improve it
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Gender: Female
Region: Metro East St. Louis
7-9th Grade GPA- 4.0
SAT Scores- I’ve gotten 1230 on a practice test but can probably improve it
Courses: Horors English 1-2
Honors Algebra 1
Honors Geometry
German 1-2
Honors Biology
Health/PE (required)
Extracurriculars: Science Olympiad- 2+ hours per week- captain (6-8th Grade)
Math Team- 1 hour per week-(6-8th Grade)
Chess Club- 1 hour per week- (8th Grade)
Challenge/Gifted Program- 1 Hour per week (3-8th Grade)
Tennis: 8+ hours per week- (9th Grade)
Speech and Acting: 5+ hours per week- (9th Grade)
Beta Club: 1 hour per week- Vice President- (6-8th Grade)
Scholar Bowl: 2+ hours per week- Captain- (7-9th Grade)
Student Council: 2+ hours per week- (6-7th Grade)
Theater- 4+ hours per week (7-8th Grade)
Band: 5+ hours per week- Co-Section Leader- (4-8th Grade)
Chorus: 2 hours per week- (5-8th Grade)
Yearbook Staff: 1 hour per week (8th Grade)
ProjectLit: 1 hour per week (9th Grade)
Color Guard: 2+ hours per week- Captain (6-8th Grade)
Awards: should I list awards I won for science olympiad or not?
Presidental Award
Valedictorian
America Legion Award For Citizenship
MathCounts Award
Because I live so far downstate I don’t have any IMSA experiences will that impact my application?
Hello everyone! I am a rising freshman that is planning to apply to IMSA. I am extremely nervous though as many have told me that it is extremely hard to get in. I got a 1390 (750 for math and 640 for reading) and am an Asian in Naperville. Do I have a chance? I am planning to retake the SAT in March to see if I can get it up. I have all A’s except 1 B in eight grade and don’t have many awards. I am in Science Olympiad though. Help???