A method of making a polyetherimide comprises: combining a bisphenol A dianhydride, p-phenylene diamine and a halogenated aromatic solvent to form a reactant solution; heating the reactant solution to a temperature of 205° C. to 330° C. at a pressure sufficient to prevent boiling to afford a reaction solution; removing water from the reaction solution; maintaining the reaction solution at a temperature of 205° C. to 330° C. and a pressure sufficient to prevent boiling for 10 minutes to 5 hours to form a product mixture comprising the polyetherimide and solvent; and isolating the polyetherimide.