@jnbada123 you got a 710 on SAT M but got waitlisted last year? Were you around the Naperville/Aurora area or were you an 8th grader when you applied last year?
@vniatge I was waitlisted. I live in Arlington Heights (not Naperville/Aurora). I was a 9th grader last year.
that was higher than average SAT Math score… this is making me feel apprehensive for next year’s application
don’t worry too much. Remember, IMSA turns down 800s on the math and reading section every year. The teacher recs and essays are far and away the most important parts of your app. Focus on those two things above everything else.
Something I did that was helpful was after applying as an 8th grader was I actually set up a phone interview with the head of admissions. He sat down and went through my entire app, page by page, and hashed out all the strong points and weak points of my application. It gave me a lot of good knowledge for my app last year. I can put you in contact with him if you want.
honestly, i wouldn’t stress about SATs. definitely you want to study for it and do your best, but i really do think teacher recs and your essays matter more.
i didn’t believe that before getting my letter either, but after getting accepted with a 690 math (and being from a competitive area) i do think its true. @vniatge your app is more than just numbers 
Individual situations differ obviously but the criteria for acceptance is fairly clear. Try to get the highest SAT and GPA you can and after that just hope for the best. Then relax.
To @lsutiger25 applications to Imsa has some level of self selection. Mostly of the students who apply have the grades and scores and ECs.
Thanks @jnbada123 do you have his number or email? @yeldarb1 i guess I’m focusing more on the things I can improve in my app. I cant control my teacher recs and opportunities available to me.
I will however focus on my essays as well.
Can anyone accepted show me some of their essays?
@ck1012 sure give me ur email or whatever and I’ll share a copy with u of my essays
@priyaluvsbooks I would like to see it as well
@vniatge actually, you probably ought to talk to Kelly Lofgren to start out. She’s the director of admissions. Her work number is (630) 907-5028 and her email is klofgren@imsa.edu
Thank you @jnbada123
Thank you vniatge for your kind words. I haven’t been able to check this forum the last several days and just realize I made a mistake in reporting my scores. Must’ve been my fat finger when I typed in and I was rushing to get to school bus. My SAT math score was not 780, it was 680. CR score is correct. I apologize for the error. Seems that you were turned down as an 8th grader? Just keep trying next year. Hopefully we will see each other.
Anyone interested to create a group on okhello or email?
@NerdyGirl2000 We have a group on Kik for IMSA class of 2018. If you wanna join and you got into IMSA, give me your kik and i’ll add you
If you, or anyone, would like to know more about IMSA, I’m a rising junior who attends. Email me at tparkman@imsa.edu if you want to ask some questions or chat 
@NerdyGirl2000 sorry it took me ages. just kik me at taydre196 and I’ll add you
@AviSaxena33 I emailed an Admissions counselor, and she told me how the waitlist works.
So when we take our placement tests, the results put everyone into different class levels. Levels that have openings are available to wait-listed students with the appropriate score. The Director of Admissions takes a look at our files and gives the family a call if they can be taken off the waitlist.
@aang1100 Oh that sucks … It’s like doing too good on the test could screw you over as equally as doing too bad.