<p>I am an international student, about to give my IGCSE's soon, with expected 6 A* (math, english, physics, eco, business studies, accounts), and want to apply to Yale, or Harvard for my undergraduate and major in econ. Would it be better to choose A-levels(my school allows 4 subjects), or IB(6 subjects, on science,useless for me, compulsory)?
(I know about the A-levels being direct substitutes to SAT II at Yale, however I do not plan on taking a gap year, and will most probably apply with expected A-level/IB grades)
Help will be appreciated.</p>
<p>I think this is a good question to ask directly to the admission office to the college - something that isn’t possible to find on their website(make sure that’s the case though) and that introduces you to the reader for your country.</p>
<p>“mhmm” thanks for the quick reply, but I also wanted to know what prev./current/future yale students thought,</p>
<p>Bump? 10char</p>
<p>bump again, no one on CC’s got any insight to share?</p>
<p>I think both are equally recognized, so you won’t go wrong with either. I’m currently taking my A levels (3 subjects, not sure if this will be looked upon favorably) with AS coming up this november. And oh, most students accepted to top american colleges from my country opted for A levels, so I guess you shouldn’t worry :)</p>
<p>Your SAT I and SAT II scores will play a bigger role i suppose as your A level grades probably wouldn’t be out by the time you start applying. </p>
<p>Hope this answers your question, but its definitely better to email the school to be sure.</p>
<p>Take the A levels to be more consistent. It is much harder to do IB in a single year since it is a two year program.</p>
<p>You do need SAT II tests to apply to either Harvard or Yale unless you take ACT in which case Yale won’t need them.</p>
<p>thank u guys, i was always leaning more towards A-levels, and texaspg, what do u mean by “harder to do in a single year”…? I am going to apply with predicted grades, not try n finish it one year… I don’t think I fully understand what you are trying to say…</p>
<p>As an international student attending a school that offers the IB, I have to say that finishing the Diploma in one year instead of the standard two is not only harder, it is also impossible, i’d say. And yes, even though it is generally known to be more thorough than A-levels, the compulsory science in the IB can signal to the adcoms that you’re very well-rounded. Even if you are not planning on studying sciences at college, it might be to your advantage. I’m just thinking, however, everything might be quite different in reality. :)</p>
<p>mrcrazyOG - I may not know much about this(thus I asked the question, lol), but I am very sure that is NOT what these schools mean by well-rounded. I am pretty certain they are referring to sports, academics, and extra-curriculars, when they talk about “well-rounded”. It seems to make no sense for a person with a decided major, to study an unrelated subject. (English, Math, Eco, And Business Management will be my four subjects if I go a-level - where Eng and Math are almost simply necessary for anything, Business and Eco seem directly related to my preferred major) For someone with an undecided major, what you said might just be true.
Correct me if I am wrong.</p>
<p>Are you senior now trying to apply or are you in 11th grade?</p>
<p>I was assuming you are a senior trying to cram in IB this year when i made the statement.</p>
<p>texaspg - In the original post i mentioned : “about to give my IGCSE’s soon”, so I am in the 10th grade, which is why i will soon have to make the decision for choosing between A-level or IB. I hope that clears that out.</p>
<p>In that case you have a lot of time. Choose what you feel is best for you and not what you think colleges might want to see. A levels are equally acceptable since they are a little more advanced in some areas as far as I know compared to IB.</p>
<p>I thought something similar texas, thanks for the reply. I guess I’ll go for A-levels then, will decide after giving my iGCSE’s. If anyone has anymore input that may help with my decision please do share. Thanks again.</p>