IMSA Invites Class of 2002 Students

For Immediate Release, June 1999
For comment, contact Brenda Buschbacher at (630) 907-5033

AURORA -- The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) has invited 220 Illinois students to enroll this fall as members of its 14th sophomore class, the class of 2002.

Area students selected include:  (see enclosed list)

Chosen from 655 applicants, the invited class represents 168 schools and 135 communities throughout the state.  The average SAT mathematics and verbal scores for the invited students, most of whom are high school freshmen, are 650 and 595 respectively.  These scores are significantly higher than the national averages for college-bound seniors, one indication of the applicants’ strong credentials.

Students offered admission include 110 girls and 110 boys. Approximately 68% are from the Chicagoland area, with 32% from other areas of Illinois.

Dr. LuAnn Smith, director of enrollment services, said IMSA continues to see strong applicants from rural, urban and suburban communities.  "We are grateful to the students’ home schools and local communities for supporting their academic goals and development," Smith said.  "We also are pleased that our efforts to identify and interest talented students from all areas, including historically underrepresented areas, continue to enhance the diversity of our student body."

Located in Aurora, Illinois, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) is an internationally-recognized pioneering educational institution created by the State to develop talent and stimulate excellence in teaching and learning in mathematics, science and technology. IMSA's advanced residential college preparatory program enrolls 650 academically talented Illinois students in grades 10-12. More than 14,000 teachers and 20,000 students in Illinois and beyond have benefited from IMSA's professional development and enrichment programs. IMSA serves the people of Illinois through innovative instructional programs, public and private partnerships, policy leadership and action research.