<p>This school year, my school ditched the AP system and now all of the advanced courses are on the IB (International Bacclaureate) program. This is OK for the in-state schools, but I'm applying mostly out of state. I'm taking a few IB classes, and my question is this: Did my high school put me, and other kids applying out of state, at a disadvantage by preferring the IB system over AP courses?</p>
<p>No, I wouldn't think so at all. Most colleges have the IB equivalent for college credit on their websites. I certainly wouldn't worry! I have friends that go to an IB school...not easier than AP in my humble opinion.</p>
<p>well...
IB is harder in my opinion...
cause i take it.. and it's killing me D:</p>
<p>IB is so much harder. I hate hearing AP kids complain about too much work :P</p>
<p>I definitely think that there's no disadvantage. The IB program is an excellent program and I really think it helps in the long run. It focuses more on critical thinking rather than test taking skills.</p>
<p>You said that you're only taking a few IB classes, so are you actually in the program and are going to get your diploma, or are you just taking the classes?</p>
<p>I'm taking AP and its more than enough for me. (no IB at my school)</p>
<p>IB sounds crazy intense though..</p>
<p>Regardless of which program is harder, colleges only care that you've taken advantage of the curriculum that's been offered to you. Meaning if your school has 15 APs, try to take a good number of them. If it has an IB program, try to get your diploma.</p>
<p>AP courses can count as college courses (some can) and IB doesnt count</p>
<p>I dunno if IB is harder, they seem almost the same in terms of curriculum and difficulty...But yeah, no disadvantage, colleges view them synonymously...</p>
<p>^ I thought IB does count?</p>
<p>my counselor said no that's why i didn't take any IB</p>
<p>IB courses do count I believe, like one of you all said, there is an IB = to every AP course most colleges give credit to.</p>
<p>AP Exams are harder and the AP kids have more work.
IB Exams are longer but easier; so it's like an endurance test really</p>
<p>crap my counselor lied to me... i want IB now. How do you get in IB? Do you have a interview or something?</p>
<p>IB is seen as more difficult by many college counselors; I wouldn't worry. Just make sure to do well in those classes!</p>
<p>Colleges want you to take the program with the rigor that is appropriate to you as a student. If your school has the IB program, and if you take it, then schools will look at you as a the good student that you are. You may or may not get credit or advanced standing for having received whatever score on the exam that your school requires you to get, in order to receive that credit or standing. Same for AP. Some HS have one, some the other, some both, some neither. Colleges look at the roster of classes that you are coming from and make decisions based on your performance within that school. I would guess, however, that you need to research each individual college to ascertain how they treat IB exam scores and AP exam scores, in order to answer your question about how they count. It varies widely.</p>
<p>I wish I had IB after hearing this...</p>
<p>Most colleges only offer credit to Higher Level IB courses. If you're ONLY interested in AP/IB for credit, then I would advise you go with AP because you're likely to get more credits. Taking a courseload of IB HLs would likely put you in a coma. Also course selection is important. My school has basically no IB course selection. So I'm with the same 16 people all day and I had little choice in what courses I took.</p>
<p>But if your interested in being prepared for the critical thought necessary for college, I would most definitely go with IB. Plus, it's somewhat possible to BS your entire way through IB, and some people do that. Then again, that might just be my class. Although, I'm not sure if you can BS your way through an IB exam.</p>
<p>SL classes in IB are not on par with AP classes. HL classes, however, meet and exceed the AP level of rigour.</p>
<p>Disadvantages of IB:
-Theory of Knowledge
-Arrogant and whiney kids (at least at my school)
-Litany of abbreviation: IA, EE, SL, HL, TOK
Disadvantages of AP:
-Not as comprehensive as HL classes</p>
<p>I've never actually taken TOK so I am not qualified to speak, but it seems like a very fluffy class.</p>
<p>You can get IB credit depending on the school. I know my sister got a year of credit for her full IB diploma and certain colleges offer credit for HL IB tests, but it depends on the school.</p>
<p>OOS schools will make you repeat what you took AP or IB anyhow (even if you took HL). This especially applies if you're shooting for HYPS. </p>
<p>Basically, it won't put you at a disadvantage. Just get the diploma and you're good.</p>