Summer PROMISE Program (SEAMS) – Rising 9th Graders

The application for the Summer 2024 PROMISE – SEAMS Program is now accepting applications.

Deadline: April 15, 2024

The PROMISE Summer Program also known as Summer Enrichment in Academics in Mathematics and Science (SEAMS) is designed for students between their 8th and 9th grade years. Illinois students currently enrolled in the 8th grade are eligible to apply. This immersive academic week long residential experience takes place on IMSA’s campus located in Aurora, IL. Explore additional details below!

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. Illinois students enrolled in the 7th-9th grade who demonstrate high academic achievement and meet one or more of the following criteria are eligible to apply:

  • Student identifies as Black or African American and/or Latinx
  • Student resides in an official rural Illinois county
  • Student qualifies for National School Lunch Program

June 22 - 30, 2024

The summer PROMISE Program will be a week long residential expereionce. Students are required to remain on the IMSA campus for the duration of the entirety of the program and will reside in the residential halls during their stay. This is an intense academic experieince with a balance of fun experieinces. Students will attend classes in various subjects including, but not limited to the list below. Additionally, students will experience field trips such as to the Museum of Science and Industry and Funway Entertainment Center.

  • Math
  • Science
  • English
  • Personal Development
  • SAT Prep

Our PROMISE Program application opens at various points in the year depending on grade level. The summer 2024 PROMISE Program application deadline is April 15, 2024.

The application will consist of the following items:

  • Complete the online application
  • Student Essay
  • Parent Statement
  • Teacher Evaluation Form from a current Math or Science teacher
  • School Administrator Form which includes the request for official grade reports.

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 non-family members who know the student’s work well.

All application materials are due by the listed deadline.

Once you have started your online application, you will be provided a link for the appropriate form.
The Teacher Evaluation should be completed by a current math or science teacher. IMSA recommends notifying your teacher before sending an evaluation request, so they are prepared to complete the evaluation and understand what you are applying for. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide this link directly to your teacher of choice. Teachers will complete the evaluation form electroically and submissions come directly to the PROMISE team.
The recommendation form will ask teachers to tell our team more about the applicants STEM interests, participation, prepration, collaboartion skills and more.

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

Send 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 1.5 years.

Summer PROMISE Program: 

March 15: Application Opens
April 15: Final date to submit application
April 30: Decisions are released via email

There is no fee to apply for the summer PROMISE Program. Applicants invited to participate will be asked to submit a $50.00 registration fee.