4 ms·
Wow, my high school is on HN! IMSA was an amazing place. There are so many smart people with so much motivation and it feels like anything is possible there. T
by ksml 11y ago
Wow, my high school is on HN!
IMSA was an amazing place. There are so many smart people with so much motivation and it feels like anything is possible there. There is a dark side, though, not often mentioned publicly. Mental health issues are quite common, as could be expected when you put 14-18 year olds in a highly stressful, high-pressure environment, and people generally aren't very physically healthy, either (4.5 hours of sleep a night is common). I had some of my best times and worst times at IMSA.
- jianshen 11y agoMental and Social development is a huge thing to consider here (for all you parents considering your kids for a school like this). You're introduced to college level independence at a ridiculously young age (don't forget the shmen...) and while the academics is top notch, campus life can be challenging to anyone at that age, even if you get to go home on weekends. That said, you'll likely make some pretty remarkable friends for life there...
- patio11 11y agoIMSA is indeed a great school. (I went to high school at another well-regarded school in Illinois, and saw quite a bit of IMSA folks deep into the statewide competitions for math team, quiz bowl, debate, etc etc.) I avoided going to it for exactly the reason you mentioned, with the worry that that would be exacerbated by social isolation caused by being away from my family. I imagine many folks find it a wonderful place to be.