For teachers evaluations it should be name, email address and phone number of the evaluator you sending request to. The request will be sent automatically to the email address you mentioned in this request.
How do you guys like your essays so far? I think I like mine so far, but I have no standard to compare it too. I liked last years questions MUCH more, they were much easier to respond to.
I’m not really sure how mine are, as I’m not completely sure what they’re looking for.
I am done with one out of four essay so far… the second one is still a rough draft, but I am trying to come up with something interesting…takes a lot of time and thinking… I am even thinking about it while dreaming… the best ideas came to me at night while dreaming… 
I just was wondering… over 700 people applying, about 1-2% are chatting here… what is going on with the rest 98-99%?
They probably either don’t want to be in the chat or don’t know about it. I’ve realized trend though, for the past few years a lot of the people in this chat, like @priyaluvsbooks have gotten in. I feel like the people in this chat are serious enough about IMSA that we want to compare our applications to make it the best. A lot of random applicants who don’t have as good of stats make up some of that 700 that’s going to be rejected, I personally know 2 people. @javascript. I’m not saying we are the best applicants, we definitely are not, but we have a passion to really get into IMSA which is good.
I wonder if IMSA know about this chat, it’s been going on for a couple of years now and was pretty popular. It’s the only chat I know of for IMSA apps.
I actually found this chat by googling IMSA class of 2019; chances are, some people are following the chat and just not replying like I was or hasn’t done much internet research on IMSA
***or a lot of people applying haven’t done much internet research on IMSA
I was asking google: “What is my chance to get accepted into IMSA…” something like this, and came across this website. Was just watching for a month or so before posting messages. I am glad I did find this site!
I got bored in Physics so I just googled ‘IMSA applications’ or something like that and found last year’s thread on IMSA which led me to this. Same, as @javascript, I’m very happy I did find this site! There is a lot of good advice in here
Does “transcript request” go to junior high principal? Does imsa get my freshman year transcript thru “counselor/principle”?
@brownnmathguyyay It’s different depending on your school. Some (or most, I’m not sure) I have your full transcript, and you could probably find out from either your counselor or your principal, whereas some high schools like mine didn’t have my middle school transcript. So, make sure you’re not sending separate transcripts unecessarily, except it’s not that big of a deal.
There are a couple ways you can send it in. I recommend going up to people at your school in person to figure out where your transcript is (because it sounds like there’s some way to request people in the app or something). Then, you can either mail it to IMSA or you can fax it/ask your counselor/principal to fax it.
I just got my transcript from my middle school and high school last year since they were separate and my counselor just faxed it to them. It really depends.
Can someone tell me what my chances of getting in are?
I got a lot of B’s in 7th, all A’s in 8th (except one B in gym), and 2 Bs first semester of Freshman year (Math and Science, I know, not good)
Right now I’m taking Honors Biology and Honors Algebra 2 (I’m a year ahead in math).
I was ranked 11/689 at the end first semester.
Extracurriculars:
Science Olympiad
Mathletes
Middle School Math Competetion (once a year event)
Northwestern CTD classes (not sure if that’s an extracurricular)
Tennis
Band
Scholastic Bowl
National Junior Honors Society
Awards:
Science Fair- Honorable Mention
Mathletes- 3rd in Competition
IMA State Music Competition- “Superior”
Presidential Award for Academic Excellence- 8th Grade
3rd Place in Minooka Community High School Tennis Tournament
SAT Scores
As of right now:
650 in Math
600 in Writing
560 in CR
(still studying and trying to improve)
Teacher Recs:
Math- Above Average/ Pretty Good
English- Very Strong
Biology- Average
Optional Essay- She knows my personality very well and can talk about how I have evolved as a student.
I know I’m not that competitive of an applicant, but in my Optional Essay I will state that my grades have had a significant increase because I have become much more motivated. I will also state that I regret not joining as many STEM related clubs in Middle school, and that is something I have attempted to turn around as a freshmen, and will continue to do see. I feel that my essays convey my passion for Math and Science, but I have to fix some awkwardly written sentences. I do really really want to go to IMSA next year. Thanks!
Hey @colconf07 I’m just going to go by category:
Grades: It might be a good idea to calculate your GPA to see where you stand compared to the applicant pool. The average GPA of an accepted applicant is around 3.9. There definitely is an upward trend in grades from 7th to 8th, however, you might want to use your optional statement to explain why you got B’s freshman year, as they care more about those grades than 7th grade.
Extracurriculars: I think you’re fine here. IMSA likes to see that you took advantage of your opportunities and, if you didn’t, be sure to stress how that has changed. Even though IMSA is a math and science school, be sure to talk about your other extracurriculars; they want to see the different aspects of your personality, not just the math and science part. I did Northwestern classes also, so maybe I saw you there
Awards: again fine here.
SAT scores: are those your practice scores or your actual scores? If you want to be safe, try and raise your math SAT score up to 680, the average. I don’t know about your school system, but if it’s really bad they’ll cut you some slack.
Recs: It sounds like you are very strong in the English area, which is similar to me. Use this to your advantage and make your essays stunning.
Good luck!
@colconf07 Just to clarify, those two B’s freshman year really won’t hurt you that much. Teacher recs aren’t as important as far as how strong they are since not all teachers write well (which is the harsh truth). It really just depends on how positive they are and what kind of qualities they point out about you. Other than that, your application is pretty strong, especially in awards. Just work on getting a higher score for the SAT this month. Good luck!
@notarapper Wao… the harsh truth about teachers shocked me! I was wondering why some of my teachers was not very happy to do extra work writing evaluation for me… Now it make sense. By the way if there is any way to see my teachers evaluations or it is confidential and goes directly to IMSA so I will never know what they said about me?
How people know that their teachers evaluations are going to be good?
@javascript, the IMSA teacher recs are confidential.
In regards to how you know your teacher recs are going to be good. I would say firstly, be one of the top if not the top student. But after that be very active in class, raise your hand for questions they may ask and put depth and intelligence into what you say. I think the reason my math rec is going to be good is because my teacher usually trusts me to help other students and I’m kind of a assistant teacher to him. Once I thought my class for 30 mins straight. If you have the problem of your teacher not being able to connect in that way, just stick to the being a good student and being active. That’s what I think
@YoloSwagMaster I would assume my teachers like me, but I can not be sure that all of them will write an amazing and super impressive evaluation. My science teacher knows me only since January. I am always active in class and having As but I only can hope they will write good evaluation, I can not be sure.
From another hand, if there is statistics on how many applicants was not accepted because of teachers evaluations?
By the way, if anybody participating in All-Illinois Junior Band concert in Urbana-Champaign tomorrow and Saturday?