@notarapper Can you tell me like what IMSA means by “taking advantage of the opportunities in school.” I go to Metea, which is a chicagoland area school, so it is not that bad. In middle school I did math club, STEM club, and student council. Now I do science olympiad at Metea. Also, I guess I took advantage of representing my school in science fair. I got state gold twice (once in 7th and once in 8th). Is this good enough to fulfill the requirements of “taking advantage of the opportunities in school” for someone in the Chicago land area.
@floridagators100 I can’t really say. Taking advantage of your opportunities is basically just making the best out of your school. Like the only academic clubs my school offered were math team and science competition and I did science competition, and freshmen could take two honors classes and I took both of those. But your school offers a lot of clubs, honors classes, and ways to advance but if you aren’t really active in them, you’re less likely to be accepted. They want to see how my much you care and how passionate you are to be successful.
@notarapper Can you tell us what IMSA looks for most in candidates? And how do you think SAT, GPA, recommendations, transcripts, and essays, rank on applications?
@isolatedmind I’ve already said what IMSA looks for in applicants, and like I said, there is no ranking of importance. They consider every part of your application. Being weak in one area doesn’t hurt you necessarily. They look at everything and consider any reasons for them. So like if you have bad essays and they see your school has a bad English department, they’ll think about that. Just do your best.
Hi everyone! I’ve been following this thread for a while but haven’t actually decided to comment until now:) I’m a white female in Cook County so the demographics aren’t really in my favor, but I’m pretty sure I’m the only one applying from my school so hopefully that helps! Anyways, everyone on this forum has a great chance of getting in; but good luck anyways!
@chicagonerd Heyyy. Since you have been viewing this forum and planning to apply, how about you give us your stats? We would be happy to give you some tips if we see your stats!
@chicagonerd. If you don’t mind sharing, what high school do you go to? I am applying from Chicago and I don’t know any one else applying from my school. Good luck at IMSA.
I go to New Trier, which I think might be a disadvantage
I either have 4.0 GPA or a 3.93; my junior high posted quarterly grades and I got a b+ For 2 quarters but brought it up to an a by the end of the semester
I haven’t taken the SAT yet (January 23
Sorry, I think my post got cut off somehow.
SAT- I think I can get 800s on writing and reading, those are my strongest and I got almost perfect scores on the practice tests. Right now, my math is about 680 but I think I can bring it up.
ECs- debate, peer mentoring, ELS, jazz band, pep band, science Olympiad, snowflake, secretary of 8th grade Executive Cabinet, etc. There weren’t that many STEM options at my junior high; I think science Olympiad was the only one
Awards- we placed at regionals for science Olympiad but couldn’t compete at state because it conflicted with our DC trip, I’ve gotten a lot of recognition awards at my school for volunteer hours and music and other stuff, and a reading award from the state
Volunteering- book buddies, soup kitchen, nursing home
Music- trombone for 4 years, school and external jazz ensembles
Sports- soccer for 10 years and started field hockey last summer
Essays- I’m a strong writer, and I passion definitely shines through
Teacher recs- my math and English recs are stronger than my science rec but all are still good
I take all high honors classes and had a 5.3 weighted for first semester
@chicagonerd New Trier is a pretty good school considering that even I know that it has great academics xD.
Basically,
Grades- Perfect
SAT- You want a total composite of 1400 (math and reading) or higher if you are coming from a school like New Trier. And, it looks like you do!
ECs- Yeah very good shows that you took the opportunities given at the school
Essays- Good. Make sure to show your teachers your essays because they can give some peer editing for you.
Teacher Recs- Good.
Yeah, I am pretty sure you will make it in. You seem like the perfect candidate to attend IMSA!
I completely agree with @floridagators100. If you don’t get in, I don’t think any of else will.
Yay thanks! My weakness is probably my lack of STEM awards and ec’s, so hopefully my other stuff will make up for it! For everyone with science fair and math competition awards, how did everyone get those opportunities? Was it through your schools or somewhere else?
@chicagonerd I don’t have any STEM opportunities at my school. I do Scholastic Bowl but I don’t really think that counts. As long as you utilized your opportunities and made the best of it, You’re a great candidate and I’m sure you’re going to get in! Honestly, if you don’t get in, I really don’t have a chance.
@chicagonerd for me my school offered robotics club, STEM club, and math team in junior high. Through math team, I got awards. And if you are in the advanced program at school you are forced to do the science fair. And I reached state twice 
@chicagonerd You know each SAT section only goes up to 800, right? And also, how do you have a 5.3 GPA?
Oh, and so you guys know in case you didn’t already, your writing score still counts for the SAT.
I met 800, not 800s; sorry for the confusion. Because we have 3 different level options, our gpa’s are is weighted differently. Level 2 is 4, level 3 is 4.6, and level for is 5.3 for an a. I have a 4 unweighted or a 3.93, I just didn’t know if they took into account weighted gpa’s at all
@floridagators100 that’s so cool that you had all those opportunities!
@notarapper what do you think is a passing writing SAT score?