I’ve mentioned something similar in my previous post but should I say “nominated for thermo fishers junior innovators challenge”, or should I not so it doesn’t make me look lazy for not taking my chances (I did but I got rejected)

I am currently a freshmen; a prospective applicant of IMSA. Will IMSA consider the fact that I have self - studied for Calculus AB (I put it in my activities section), therefore increasing the chances of placing me in more advanced classes? Or is that only possible via the placement exam.

I know this question sounds kind of stupid but I was just curious.

Thank you for any and all feedback.

I’m confident that I would get into IMSA given my résumé. I am not completely sure whether or not I should go upon acceptance. Currently, I go to a pretty good high school, and I am happy with the academics and extracurriculars. I am looking at majoring in finance, which I have a strong passion for. Are there any good courses economics or finance related under any esteemed professors? What about extracurriculars, any strong finance based ones? Would the IMSA courses gain college credit, besides ones where you’d take the AP exam? Is the business internship program nearly as strong and SIR, and is there a finance SIR topic? If you’re an applicant curious in my application, I’m happy to help!

Do I have to include hours because I see a lot of people saying for example “mathletes 3 hours”?

I applied for thermo fisher junior innovators challenge, got the t-shirt for a participation trophy for applying, but after they evaluated my project they rejected me. Should I include applying but getting rejected on my stem activities?

I'm an MI2 student this fall. I would like to take Theory of Analysis by the time I graduate. Does anyone know a lot about course planning? 1.) Is it possible to? 2.) If so, what courses should I plan to take and when.

I'm kind of worried about all of my qualifications as an 8th grader.

SAT:1400

GPA: 4.00 I think might be higher cause I have an honors class.

Ethnicity: Asian(Chinese/Taiwanese)

Location: South-east suburbs of Chicago.

Important classes: AT ELA, Honors Geometry, and Honors Chemistry at CTD Northwestern.

STEM Activities:

Science Olympiad 2hrs 7th(A&P+Reach for the Stars+Wheeled vehicle) +8th(Optics+A&P+Road Scholar+Helicopter) (This is pretty much all that my school offers.)

Non-STEM Activities:

Concert + Jazz band 6th-8th grade 2-4hrs.

Scholastic bowl 6th-8th grade 4-ish hrs.

Chess 6th grade 4-ish hrs.

Student council 6th grade. 1hr

Tae Kwon Do before 6th grade-8th grade 1.5 hrs.

Badminton 7th-8th grade 4hrs.

STEM Awards:

2nd place at regionals for both Anatomy and Physiology and Reach for the Stars. (Got scammed and car kit never came.)

Non-STEM Awards: For Scholastic Bowl 2nd place at conference once, 3rd place at conference twice, 2nd place at sectionals once. I was team captain for all.

3rd chair in my chess team.

(A lot of band awards but they're in the band room and I need to find them.)

This is kind of an award as I am a 1st Dan black belt.

Extra stuff: I skipped 5th grade entirely and 3rd grade Math + ELA.

I obviously know English and am conversational in Spanish and German.

I vaguely remember in IL law as I am under 14 I am not allowed to be alone without a guardian in reasonable distance in case of emergency. Since I skipped 5th grade I will be 13 if I get accepted and go. Would this be an issue?

What are the chances of making IMSA if your SAT score is a 1200 but everything else on your application is amazing and you live in Naperville or Aurora??

Should I take the SAT or the ACT when applying? I feel like I should do the ACT since that's what Illinois switched to, but everyone else I've seen is taking the SAT.

I have tons of stem and non stem extra curricular and awards my grades are mostly mid B's and 2-3 A's and my SAT is around 1200 and I am around Western Chicago Suburbs with this heavenly impact my application as a 9th grader?

I know i made a few posts but this is about what i should do to prepare for the sat as im taking it in a week. thanks and any math or ela boosting tips that help or significantly help are appreciated! also how ws it compared to bluebook practice tests?

I know that there is no actual requirement for sats but what would be a good score for an 8 grader whose trying out? Also do you recommend downloading calc programs, and which ones in that case?

Stats, ECS, and Awards

Hi, I am currently a high school freshman planning on applying to IMSA. I would deeply appreciate any feedback, chancing, and recommendations based on what I will be providing. I definitely will improve on everything as I feel that my ecs, stats, and awards are all very light.

Stats: 1200 SAT, I will be providing my GPA after the end of semester 1

Extracurriculars: Middle School - Student Council President 21-22 (6th grade), Math Team 21-23, Orchestra 3 years 21-24

High school - Mun alpha theta, Business Professionals of America, Youth and Government, Finance Club, and Science Olympiad (events : Anatomy and phys, Materials science, chem lab, and geologic mapping).

Awards: High Honor Roll 2021-2024 - Insecure about my awards hoping for skme from scioly

Outside of school ECS: Basketball one day shootout 2x champions, local park district league champion 2x and top 3 qualifier 1x, competitive AAU basketball 23-24, STEM Robotics Camp 2021, 8th grade basketball team semi-finalists, Badminton 22-23, Tennis 21-22

Classes: Spanish 1, AP Computer Science A, AP Human Geography, Honors Algebra 2 Trig, Honors English 1 Literature, and Honors Biology.

• That's all as of now. I will provide a redefined stats, ecs, and awards later on once I participate in extra activities. I mainly hoped to receive feedback on my standings now so that I am able to receive insight on what I need to improve on, change, etc.

Feedback would be deeply appreciated (9th)

Thanks

basically i was looking at the essay requirements and saw you had to do mla format. how would i do that without the course name and teacher name? also whats like the common score at that school for sat's

i'm lowk worried but here are my stats!

IMSA related

IMSA The Avantor Integrated Science Program, June 13th to June 28th (Online Portion)

July 7th to July 12th (Residential Portion)

Shadow a Student Ambassador

Stem related:

Science Olympiad- 

2 hours every Thursday of the week

Events: Anatomy and physiology, Storm the Castle

2 hours every Thursday of the week

Events: Anatomy and Physiology, Storm the Castle, and Can’t Judge a Powder

Anatomy and Physiology: placed 3rd by myself

Storm the Castle: got cancelled

Anatomy and Physiology (7th grade): placed 1st

Storm the Castle: placed 3rd

Can't Judge a Powder:

Stem clubs

GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science): 1 hour 30m

USABO (Biology Olympiad): 1h 30m

GWC (Girls Who Code): 1h

Classes:

Honors Geometry

Honors Bio

IED (Intro to Engineering Design)

Unrelated to Stem:

Spelling Bee 1st place winner:  school

Spelling Bee top 10: district

Adopt A Shelf program (club) (6th)

Teachers of Tomorrow- 1h 30m|6th, 7th, and 8th grade)

9th grade|ISA (Indian Student Association) Club: 1 hour

9th grade|Ethics Club

9th grade|Bake 4 Sake (Founder): 1 hour

9th grade Student Government

Sports:

Soccer Team: 2 hours (7th)

Track Team: 2 hours(8th)

Volleyball team: 3 hours (9th)

Tennis program at local recreational club

Badminton team? (9th, I am trying out)

yeah!!

also, my sat score will be okay.. (1200-1300)

how much work will i need to put in into my essays with these stats?!

have a great night yall

is there any tips for the sat, and which practice score is about what u normally get? thx! also how much trig and circles is there

im applying to imsa as a freshmennn so these r my stats:

Gpa: have to have a 4.0 or higher or im getting g beheaded (i have an african mum :P) psat: 1350

awards: high honours: 6-8th grade and hypothetically this year as well (lowest grade is a 97)

district and state contest awards: for 2-3 years (flute)

STEM club: 7-8th grade

Beta: 7th grade

Scholar bowl: 7-8th grade (went to conference)

million words club

2000+ minutes of community service for two years

track: just started this year

speech:

key club

Science club

HOSA

FBLA: doing regionals

so basically do yall think my stats r good enough lol 😭

Lots of people are telling me lots of different perspectives about what’s very important and what isn’t in an SAT, I though it would be best to ask people who are experienced,

STEM related activities:

Math Team, Science Olympiad Energy Club Water Irrigation Team Club Green Robotics Fermilab Arbor Day volunteer

Non STEM related activities:

Student Leadership Team Student Council Interact Club Book Club Chess Club Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America Drama Club Muslim Student Association (President and Founder) Band Basketball Volleyball Soccer Football Track Avid National American Legion Speech Contest Lifeguard Deck attendant

STEM Awards:

Science Olympiad Wheeled Vehicle Invitational/local 2nd place,

Science Olympiad Mouse Trap Vehicle Regional 5th place,

Science Olympiad Mouse Trap Vehicle Invitational/local 1st place,

Science Olympiad Crime Busters Invitational/local 3rd place,

Science Olympiad Crime Busters Regional 5th place,

Science Olympiad Can't Judge A Powder Invitational/local 4th place,

Science Olympiad Roller Coaster Invitational/local 2nd place,

National Energy Education Development Youth Program National Runner Ups,

National Energy Education Development Youth Program State School Of The Year

National Energy Education Development Youth Program National School Of The Year

National Energy Education Development Youth Program State School Of The Year

Non STEM Awards:

Basketball Conference Champion Soccer Conference Champion Soccer Conference Champion Honor Roll Volunteer Service Pin Student Leader Pin

SAT:

1130 taking a sat in December so I’m not 100% if this is my final score, probably will be around 1200’s

GPA:

I am all honors/AP and I have a 4.7 out of 5 (my hs has a weird gpa format) and 5.1 weighted (somewhere around there)

I am a refugee as well as a first gen U.S. highschool and college student in the future

I live in Winfield but go to West Chicago Highschool

What do my chances look like?

I am applying as an 8th grader. Here is what I got. It's not a lot.

High Honor Role - 4/4 6th

HIgh Honor Role - 4/4 7th

Unfortunately. I don't have any STEM awards

VEX Robotics Club 24-25

Music:

Honor Chorus - 3yrs

Honor Chorus Baritone Leader

ILMEA Chorus - 2yrs

Musical - 2 years, got a major role in 7th grade (If I get in this year, then three years)

Sports:

Cross Country - 7th

Basketball - 7th

Flag Football - 8th

I think my recs are good.

I took the November SAT and I got a 1130. My teachers said that I did really good but I'm not sure.

I have finished one out of my two essays. I have my teacher looking at my essays.

I feel kinda insecure about my stats. What can I do to get in as a 8th grader? ( if don't get in this year do you think I will be able to get in next year?)

Some of my stats:

GPA- 3.9(7th- 4.0, 6th -3.7, 8th - 4.0(1st quarter, 2nd tbd)

SAT- 1400-1450(taking in December, might be able to get higher)

I have a good idea for my essays

Stem Activities:

Coding Program (HTML, CSS, JAVASCRIPT) - 3 years

VEX robotics club - 23-24

VEX robotics club - 24-25

IJAS science fair - 23-24

IJAS science fair - 24-25

Metea Valley Highschool robotics camp - 32 hours

IMSA camp

Personal Project

Non-Stem Activities:

Sports:

WSWPC - water polo - 4 years

Community Swim Team - 4 years (summer)

Community Waterpolo Team - 4 years (summer)

Cross Country - 7th grade

Track and Field - 7th grade 

Misc Clubs:

Table Tennis Club - 6th grade

Esports Team - 6th grade

Chess Club - 2 years( 6th, 7th)

Awards:

High Honor role - 4/4 6th

High Honor role - 4/4 7th

High Honor role - 2/4 8th(so far)

State Award IJAS science fair 23-24

Regional Award IJAS science fair 23-24

23-24 Robotics Semi Final - Regional level

23-24 Robitcs qualification rounds 1st - Regional Level

23-24 Robotics Skills award 2nd place - Regional Level

23-24 Robotics tournament 1st place - district 

(24-25 robotics tournaments are in January)

Question: approximately how many 8th graders get in every year? I see all these apps and I'm lowkey scared that I'm not even close good enough.

About how many 8th graders get accepted each year

About how many 8th graders get deferred each year

About how many 8th graders get waitlisted each year

What is the quality of student life at IMSA outside of academics? I received plenty of info about the academic programs, but what about time outside of class?

Do lots of students play sports or do non-academic activities or is it all studying all the time?

What is the quality of food like in the cafeteria? Do kids ever leave campus during the week to do fun things?

okay is it just me or are teacher recs not a part of the application this year? where do i find them?

I have multiple questions to ask and this Reddit page seems like the perfect place so here they are.

1. Is getting into IMSA higher if I live in a rural area?

2. I’m a freshman with a 3.7 gpa average with the most honors classes possible, does that have a factor?

3. I live in Lasalle county and I heard that only two people from Lasalle county is at IMSA, does this info also contribute to my chances due to the very little amount that are enrolled at IMSA?

4. Is getting the “prospect” letter from IMSA another chance to raise my odds of getting in?

I'm applying as an 8th grader this year and I'm wondering how much the achements and awards matter. I haven't done many stem related activities and will that ruin my chances of getting in? If yes what activities around Oswego (Aroura ) would you recommend.

Due to the amount of activity in the subreddit among new applicants, I thought that it would be helpful to post the Co28 discord link again so that you can communicate with other applicants and receive advice from current IMSA students.

Note: Verification in the form of a screenshot of an ongoing application (or acceptance email/personalized mail for current students) is required in order to gain access to the server.

https://discord.gg/bdE5tM4Hek

(edit) what if you were to create a research paper and add that onto your application? not a plan of mine but i heard a couple of people chatting about that for a college application

of course, stem activites are heavy for the application, and the essays will be amazing. i keep looking at replies saying that the essays are not the most important but i feel as if they matter the slightest bit more. help a friend out by replying?

https://preview.redd.it/bvhoujllvlvd1.jpg?width=966&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8a3c1589a6384ecbbe39f744a6263e2259b72916

I might take it in december again but should i

Hi! Long post coming up.

I'm a freshman in the Chicagoland area, and I'm wanting to apply. I received a letter in the mail one day, and honestly had no idea why. I figured maybe it was because I applied and got accepted to Fenwick Catholic High School, starting my freshman year. I don't currently attend as the tuition was WAYY too high. I also applied to Chicago magnet schools (was not accepted into any but oh well 🤷).

Academics: I have always been academically gifted. I've known how to read since before 24 months (My reading level was always grades above my grade at the time), I take an AP Class this year, and I did extensive math during my 3rd grade year (ik it was long ago but it's somewhat relevant ig).

As of now, my GPA is somewhere on the 2.5-3.0 on a 5.0 scale. Yes, I'm aware it doesn't sound great, but this is mainly due to me always turning assignments in late. I have a very hard time staying focused as well as getting myself to actually do the work (I'm working on getting an ADHD evaluation, hoping it'll help me understand myself better). But otherwise, I'm doing well academically.

This year I'm taking pretty much the only honors classes available to me. Honors Integrated Math I, English, Biology, and AP Human Geography. To which I understand the concepts of everything very well. (Except AP, which we have been told is a very difficult class and you're guaranteed at LEAST a B, which is equla to an A in core classes.)

We took the PACT at my school not long ago, which I know I totally bombed. I was tired, and anxious and rushed through, having no idea what to do, or what these tests were on. I plan on taking the SAT or the ACT in December, as to give myself enough time to study, while also giving me enough time to receive my score in time for the application deadline.

Extracurriculars:

All throughout 6-8th grade, I have done theater as my main extracurricular, and have done very well. I plan on doing theater again in my second semester, but couldn't this one due to tennis. I played tennis for my school for a full season on the JV2 level, as it was my first time doing it, I wasn't very good. And I volunteer at my local library for about 2 hours as much as I can. I'm hoping that now I'm done with tennis, I'll have more time to volunteer, which I chose to do on my own. Rather than for graduation requirements. It also helps to get it out of the way tbh. I love playing instruments and singing. I've done choir since 3rd grade, and taught myself how to play the guitar.

Social: I haven't seen anybody else do this part, but I feel it's somewhat relevant?

I've always been a big, outgoing social butterfly. I'm the most extroverted introvert you'll ever meet. As hyperindependent as I can be, I love to work with other people and listen to different opinions and ideas. My teachers have always had nothing but good things to say about me throughout my entire life. The only negative comments they really have is that I just need to stop talking lmao.💀

That's honestly it. I know I yapped a lot about random things, but if you actually made it to the end, thank you! and I'd love to hear your opinions about what more I can so to improve my application, or how you think it'll turn out as of now. thanks so much!