As my first experience with ‘real’ math, the IMACS program taught me not what to think but how to learn. I learned that math isn’t about using formulas; it’s about finding the intuition, logic, and theory behind the whole world. Additionally, computer science came to be my favorite free-time activity following the computer science and logic courses given by IMACS. I’m incredibly grateful for the amazing STEM foundation IMACS gave me and feel prepared for the future.
The IMACS Path to Success
Andrea Schefer from IMACS in 7th Grade to University of Zürich!
Andrea Schefer began her IMACS journey as a distance-learning student and thrived in some of our most challenging courses. She completed University Computer Science I, University Computer Science II, AP® Computer Science A, and Logic for Mathematics I, earning an A+ in all four courses.
Her academic accomplishments extend well beyond IMACS. Andrea is an AP Scholar with Distinction and a recipient of the AP International Diploma (2025), as well as an AP Scholar with Honor (2024). She was selected for a prestigious artificial intelligence internship at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base and chosen for the LLCipher summer cryptography program at MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory. She also earned recognition as a Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Scholar and made the President’s List at Lake Washington Institute of Technology while maintaining a 4.0 GPA in dual enrollment courses. Andrea scored a 34 on the ACT, with a superscore of 35.
Her success has been recognized by multiple universities across the country. Andrea was accepted to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Washington, the University of Florida, and Western Carolina University. This fall, she will take her academic talents abroad as she begins her studies at the University of Zürich (UZH).
Andrea plans to pursue mathematics—both theoretical and applied—through graduate school and on to a PhD. Ultimately, she hopes to launch a start-up company that combines her passions for mathematics, cryptography, and artificial intelligence.
Andrea had the IMACS advantage!
She chose University of Zürich .
Where will your child go?
