Application Opens September 22 at 8 a.m.! | | |
The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) will begin accepting applications for the 2026-2027 academic year on September 22, 2025. Prospective students are encouraged to visit the IMSA website for more information and to start their application process. Click the buttons below to view the application requirements and timelines.
Admissions will be providing applicants with a sneak peek of the application on Wednesday, September 10, in our virtual application process events. Sign up below under "Upcoming Events".
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SAT/ACT Requirements
All applicants are required to submit an SAT/ACT score. Students should visit either the SAT website or the ACT website to register for a testing date. Scores must be submitted by the application deadline (February 6, 2026).
Tests taken after the application deadline will not be accepted except for the February 14 ACT Test. To learn more about our testing requirements, visit our website.
Not sure how to register and have scores sent to IMSA? Click the buttons below to access a How-To document for registering for these exams.
| | 9th Grade Application Process | |
Are you a 9th grade applicant interested in applying to IMSA?
This is your chance to discover what makes a great IMSA student and how to prepare for the application process. Join us for an exclusive event for 9th graders to get a sneak peek at the Class of 2029 application, get tips for getting started, and have all your questions answered.
September 10, 2025
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Virtual - Zoom
| |  | 8th Grade Application Process | |
Is your 8th-grade student considering applying to IMSA?
This exclusive event for 8th graders will give you a sneak peek at the Class of 2029 application and share what it takes to be a successful IMSA student. Join us to learn key tips for getting started and get all your questions answered during a live Q&A session.
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September 10, 2025
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Virtual - Zoom
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Other Virtual Sessions Coming Up:
Check out our Visit Page to learn more about our virtual visit opportunities.
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Saturday, October 25, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
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Get an Insider's Look at IMSA on Preview Day!
Are you and your family considering IMSA? Join us for Preview Day, a special event designed for prospective students and their families to get a firsthand look at what makes IMSA unique.
During your visit, you’ll dive into every aspect of life at the Academy, from the classroom to the residence halls.
What to expect:
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Mock Classes: Experience our challenging academics with hands-on mock classes.
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Residential and Student Life: Learn what it's like to live on campus and get involved through sessions and Q&As with current students and their parents.
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Informational Sessions: Get detailed information about academics, admissions, and more.
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Campus Tours: Explore our campus and get an insider's tour of the residence halls led by student ambassadors.
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Information Booths: Meet with staff and students from various departments and organizations to have your questions answered.
| | IMSA in Your Neighborhood | | Discover where IMSA will be this month! Register for events using the links provided below. Some events are open to all, while others require registration. | |
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RISE program
Last Chance to Register!
This yearlong experience is a rigorous, non-credit-bearing online research experience for students in grades 9-12, designed to be as challenging as an advanced high school or college-level course. Participants are expected to work daily on project goals, conducting research at home, school, or a local lab.
Dive into the world of science with IMSA’s Research, Inquiry Skills, and Experimentation (RISE) Program. If you’re a 9th-12th-grade student looking for new ways to challenge yourself and explore unanswered scientific questions, RISE is your chance to find answers through your scientific research. In the year-long RISE program, you’ll collaborate with mentors and scholars who can help you study the topic of your choice.
Registration closes Friday!
| | | | Meet the Admissions Team! | |
April Wells
Director of Admissions
April is thrilled to welcome the new class and returning Titans to IMSA! With over 20 years of experience in advanced academics, she brings a deep commitment to educational excellence coupled with a passion for helping students and families navigate their academic journeys.
Though new to the Academy, she is eager to engage with the vibrant campus community and contribute to its tradition of excellence. When not on campus, April enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. She is eager to engage with students and families in the months ahead, providing guidance and support throughout every stage of the admissions journey.
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Lisa Linsner
Administrative Assistant
Lisa is our Admissions Admin and enjoyed a career as a Cosmetology Teacher for many years before coming to IMSA. Lisa enjoys talking with prospective students and parents. If you called IMSA, chances are good you spoke to Lisa. When she is not at IMSA, she enjoys time with her family. She has a 2-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter. She still enjoys taking the occasional Salon Client when her schedule allows, and loves to sit down for a fictional read.
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IMSA has worked to advance the human condition through educational innovation. This summer, students participated in research projects that were conducted in IMSA’s experiential learning programs between May and August. These programs include Student Inquiry and Research (SIR), IN2 Business Internships, and the Student Research and Experiential Learning Opportunity (SRELO) program.
Many of our students are working with mentors at leading universities, research laboratories, and businesses. Some students have worked remotely with off-campus mentors. Other students have worked with IMSA’s Faculty on campus. Our programs would not exist were it not for their willingness to ignite and nurture creative, ethical, and scientific minds in the next generation.
Here are a couple of examples of the work they accomplished!
| | Rational Design of 6-Mercaptopurine-Riboside to Treat Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia & Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia by Alyssa Gonzalez | | |
Mentors: Dr. Jin Jin, Western Illinois University, Dr. Shaozhong Zhang, Western Illinois University
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is rapidly progressing malignant cancer that originates in bone marrow and is typically fatal within months of a patient's prognosis. Likewise, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) also begins in bone marrow, however is harder to diagnose because of the cancers slow growth and difficult prognosis. 6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP)is core drug used to treat ALL and CLL, however its clinical effects are hindered by the need for metabolic activation via hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT), which is typically deficient or dysfunctional in Leukemia patients.
My research proposes a rationally designed analog of 6-Mercaptopurine called 6-Mercaptopurine Riboside (6-MPR). 6-MPR is able to quickly enter cancerous cells, terminate key processes needed for cell replication, as well as expeditiously incorporating itself into DNA and RNA. The compound is synthesized from two substitution reactions. Several analytical techniques like column chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy were identified to test the purity and isolation of the final product. Future directions include properly synthesizing 6-MPR, in-vitro testing in Leukemic cell models, and subsequent structure activity relationship (SAR) studies. If the results are promising, the drug can proceed to in-vivo trials. This research highlights how structural modifications, such as a sugar addition, can drastically alter a drug's pharmacokinetics and therapeutic potential.
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The Effects of Natural Compounds on Synthetic Diabetic Blood and Urine by Aashritha Kukunooru
Mentor: Dr. Sowmya Anjur
Cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus are rising worldwide, and it is estimated that by 2050, there will be almost 800 million diabetics. One of its main effects is hyperglycemia, which is when there is too much glucose in the blood for the body to regulate.
| | | Natural compounds have been used in ancient communities as diabetic medicine; however, more research and clinical trials are needed to establish if they are effective or not. In this study, fenugreek, turmeric, cayenne pepper, and ginger were tested to see how they affect glucose levels in synthetic diabetic blood and urine. Different concentrations (1, 2, and 4 servings) of each compound were added to synthetic diabetic blood and urine, along with Benedict’s reagent. Then, Benedict’s test was conducted on the solutions to see the glucose levels. In order to address experimental error, all variables besides the concentrations of the compounds were kept the same. It was found that fenugreek was the most effective in terms of reducing the glucose level in both blood and urine, while ginger was the least effective in blood, and turmeric in the urine. It was also found that every compound tested was more effective in blood than urine | | | | |
Preview Day - Saturday, November 15, 2025
Campus Tour - Saturday, December 13, 2025
*Registration will be required. Registration will open one month in advance from the event.
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ILLINOIS MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE ACADEMY
Office of Admissions
1500 Sullivan Rd., Aurora, IL 60506-1000 | 630.907.5028
admissions@imsa.edu | imsa.edu/admissions
To ignite and nurture creative, ethical, scientific minds
that advance the human condition.
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