PROMISE Pathway

IMSA's PROMISE Programs aim to address the challenges of culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse (CLED) students. PROMISE is a proven model of success for realizing the vision of a highly diverse and creative STEM workforce. This grant-funded program for fall 2024 is open to all Illinois students currently enrolled in the 7th and 8th grade (2024-25 school year), especially Black or African American students, Latinx students, students who qualify for the national free or reduced-price meal program, and students from rural Illinois counties.

The fall PROMISE Program is schedule to run on 8 designated Saturdays throughout the spring semester on IMSA's campus in Aurora from 9:00AM -1:00PM.

At each session, students will rotate through a series of math, science, and specials courses. Specials will consist of a series of special guest lessons that can include, but are not limited to: Engineering, computer science, English, Wellness, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and much more! Applicants invited to participate are asked to commit to all 8 sessions or at minimum 6 of the 8 sessions. This should be heavily considered as you embark on the application process.

Our PROMISE Program application opens at various points in the year depending on grade level. The spring 2025 PROMISE Program application deadline is January 8, 2025.

The application will consist of the following items:

• Complete the online application
• Student Essay
• Parent Statement
• Teacher Evaluation Form from a current or previous year Math or Science teacher
• School Administrator Form which includes the request for official grade reports.
  • This form will include the request for the following grade reports:
    • 2022-2023 Grade Report
    • 2023-2024 Grade Report

Students enrolled in homeschool programs will need to provide additional documentation explaining the curriculum, evaluation process, and texts used. The teacher evaluation must be completed by a non-family member who know the student’s work well.

All application materials are due by the listed deadline: January 8, 2025

Once you have started your online application, you will be provided a link for the appropriate form.

The School Administrator Form can be sent to an academic school counselor, prinicipal, assistant principal, registrar, or similar school administrator who has access to student records. We recommend notifying your administrator before sending a form request, so they are prepared to complete the form. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide this link directly to your school official. The form will be completed electronically and submissions come directly to the PROMISE team.

The form will request general information about the school the applicant attends, general academic information, and will include the request for grade reports for the last 2 years (22-23 and 23-24 school year).

Spring 2025 PROMISE - Leading Students 2 Success (LS2S) Program: 

November 1, 2024: Application Opens

January 8, 2025: Final date to submit application

Tantative, Janaury 27, 2025: Decisions are released via email

There is no fee to apply for the spring 2025 PROMISE - Leading Students 2 Success (LS2S) Program. Additionally, applicants invited to participate will not be required to pay any fees.