<p>The different schools we are looking at have different attitudes and options for academic work. One has the option to do the IB diploma or to do AP courses, one has various AP courses, and another has abandoned AP courses because they say it restricts them too much. Therefor they just label their hardest courses "upper level".</p>
<p>I just finished reading the thread in the college applications section of the site <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/princeton-university/168664-ap-vs-ib.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/princeton-university/168664-ap-vs-ib.html</a></p>
<p>What do people in the prep school forum think? If you take IB, are you kind of stuck doing this whole program and you can't take many electives? Do you think AP constrains schools to teach to the test? Will IB bring down your GPA while not being more impressive to colleges?</p>
<p>The problem is that the IB and AP programs don't exist in isolation -- it is how they are implemented in an individual school that determines whether they "teach to the test", restrict the kids from participating in ECs or effect their GPA.</p>
<p>I really think it comes down to individual school differences -- either program can be very well done or very poorly done.</p>
<p>As far as IB -- it is true, if you are looking to earn the IB diploma you are restricted in course choices. But the same could be said for any other college prep program. Top schools recommend 4 years each of math, science, english, history/social studies and a foreign language -- so it really depends on how many courses the student is allowed to take each semester.</p>
<p>At some IB schools, the most ambitious kids take 4 Higher level classes and 2-3 standard level courses (or more). That is an insane amount of work -- and I can certainly see where that would restrict your time for other activities. At my son's IB school (his is the original IB school in Wales -- and routinely scores in the top 5 of all IB schools worldwide for diploma scores) only allows the kids to take 6 classes, 3 HL and 3SL. They have plenty of time for multiple activities and ECs.</p>
<p>So -- you need to look at the individual schools: how many classes do the kids take each semester? How much homework do they have? What is college placement like? What textbooks do they use? How are the classes structured -- discussion or lecture?</p>
<p>This year i am in 9th grade, so i am in Pre-IB. however, i am leaving that to go to exeter next year. while i like the IB curriculum, as i was sitting in my counselors office creating my 'four year plan' i realized i had no choice. everything was set in stone. yeah, it does help to get into the best colleges. but personally, for me, i dont think its worth it. it is a great program, but its not worth the stress and all of that stuff. again, thats just my opinion. if you think its right for you, do it!</p>
<p>Some of the elite colleges and others are questioning the usage of AP courses in the future. As I recall the comments, is a freshman English class taken at Harvard with discussion, etc the same as as an AP English class taken at some high school. </p>
<p>I note that some of the a list prep schools have a variety of english and history courses instead of AP classes, i think for this same reason</p>