This is a place where you can ask questions about IMSA. Basiclly, anything that relates to IMSA. Although, most of us would like only to talk about admissions. Feel free to ask anything though!
Here’s the link to the class of 2018 forum. http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/1684628-imsa-applicant-class-of-2018-p1.html . It’s a great resource for future applicants.
@vniatge … If you were smart, you would realize that this is a continuation of that forum because the class of 2018 has already been selected…
@lsutiger25 I included the link on this forum so new people who stumbled on this forum could just easily find the old one. If you check on page 1 of the old forum, you could see kidfood providing a link of the IMSA class of 2017 forum.
@vniatge Oooh ok I misunderstood what you were trying to say. I thought you were trying to redirect me to the class of 2918 forum lol. Sorry for the confusion and hope you can forgive me due to this silly misunderstanding
It’s alright. @lsutiger25
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-chances/1607633-chances-of-getting-into-imsa.html#latest Here is the class of 2017 forum
Will a bad GPA kill your app or is it not that important?
Yes, a bad GPA could kill you it depends on what GPA you have if you have a 3.76 or above then you are fine, but if you have a 3.75 or below then you are a goner and you have to have really great SAT scores to get in then and if you are from the schools like Naperville then you are defenitatley a goner. IMSA looks at 3 subjects when calculating your GPA, Math, Science and Math
It depends how bad your GPA is. If it’s below 3.5, you almost definitely will not get in. But make sure you’re only counting English, Math and Science grades. Also, keep in mind that grades from the first semester of the upcoming school year will count as well, which can help a lot. If you’re an 8th grader, a low GPA could be a deal breaker. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t apply! Applying this year gives you a much better chance at getting in in 9th grade.
Oh, and a personal theory on how admissions work, some of which is verifiable and some of which isn’t:
-A group of people sort through all aspects of your application except the SATs and GPA. They assign it a score between 20 and 80. This is your RCE score.
- You get a composite score that is 10RCE + Average of Math and Reading SATs + 200GPA
-They list the composite scores by region. They use this to filter out some candidates.
-Each remaining application is looked through again in its entirety, with special focus being given to essays and teacher recs. This is used to decide who gets in.
I have no idea if the above is true! But I think it’s an interesting idea. I do know:
-There’s a composite score involved somewhere
- Regions are taken into account
-There are two separate councils that meet
-The definition of RCE is accurate, and is determined by the first council
Ok what if, hypothetically this happens:
- Gpa
- I messed up calculations and my GPA is a 3.3 because I did not count 6th grade, which is a year where I adjusted to middle school and did not do good. But what if I got straight A’s in eight grade? Also what if I put some cleverness in the optional statement with my GPA making them WANT me. Please help me here!!
-SAT - I just took the SAT a week ago. I got 750 in both categories. I’m good at SAT and hope to get perfect score by October. Will this help fix the grade issue?
- I messed up calculations and my GPA is a 3.3 because I did not count 6th grade, which is a year where I adjusted to middle school and did not do good. But what if I got straight A’s in eight grade? Also what if I put some cleverness in the optional statement with my GPA making them WANT me. Please help me here!!
- Teacher reccomendations
- I am good here. Teachers love me a lot in class. Although it would be nice if I got some insight on how to make teachers love me more
-Essays - my dad is a college level professor in English so I may be good here
- I am good here. Teachers love me a lot in class. Although it would be nice if I got some insight on how to make teachers love me more
- awards and extracurriculars
I am strong in ecs but awards is a problem. I only have a gold at state science fair. How can I get more awards
I am an 8th grader from scullen middle school. I do 2 grades ahead since the start of middle school. Please society, let me enter this prestigious school. My parents want me to move to an area with no good schools in Florida. We won’t move to Florida if I make IMSA as an 8th grader. I must do the impossible… I need your guys help to do this! Please help me!
If you combine a 3.76 GPA(if I somehow get straight A’s throughout 8th and half of 9th grade, with SAT scores of 750 in reading and math, with strong essays and many extracurriculars, but a few awards, can I get in. This would be my 9th grade but I will still apply this year
First of all, Istugier why would you move to Florida where there are no good schools. Your SAT is really good for a 8th grader. Like I said before they recalculate your GPA from math, science and literature. Since you go to a school in Naperville you have a couple of disadvantages. First of all, that is amazing you do two years above level, but the GPA is a little low because you go to a Naperville school. You need Math and Science Awards do the science fair this year. In 9th grade, I think you have a good chance. In 8th grade your application needs to be outstanding, You have to get straight A’s the first semester of your 8th grade year.
@rattybatty I got an outstanding, highest rank, at regionals but I was an alternate for state. Thanks man your like my
Mentor. I got a GPA of 3 in 6th grade I got a GPA of 3.44 in 7th. I will work hard and try to increase GPA. Isn’t there an optional statement where I can write why I have a low GPA, and maybe they will accept me. Are you attending IMSA btw?
Do not mention that you were an alternate for State Science Fair. So, when you try for 8th grade I calculated your GPA and you have a gpa of 3.46666667 which is really low not to be rude. If you want to make it in to IMSA you have to have a phenomenal essays and SAT scores, you need to have SAT scores for math, 780 and reading around 775 your teachers need to help you by giving really good reccomendations.
Istugier your GPA is very very very low and I do not know how you are going to get in with a very low GPA not to be very rude. The average IMSA applicant that applies has a average GPA of 3.76 and the average IMSA applicant accepeted has a gpa of 3.96 they have a SAT Score of 670 and a Reading SAT score of 660. I would reccomend that you take the ACT and if you get a good score you should include that in your application and that will show that you have motivation. I am really sorry to tell you that your chances of making IMSA is really really low because of the GPA unless you have the best application an applicant has ever produced. I am not a IMSA student and I will not try because I really do not think that IMSA is worth it. It is a very highly hyped school in my eyes. As far a being a mentor, I am not a mentor, I am just giving the facts. I would reccommend you trying this year and even if you do not make IMSA in 8th grade they will tell what you need to work on
If I apply this year with my current GPA and have a great application but get denied, but improve my GPA and in 9th grade apply with a great application do you think they would accept me due to the trend of my GPA rising like I can add that to the 9th grade application?
Although the highest I can get is a 3.76 by that time, which is still low, I can state the huge trend of the grades and then would they like accept me because they saw me work hard or deny me regardless of what the GPA is