AP vs. IB Schedule

<p>Hey guys! I'm a sophomore right now and I need to make a decision on whether I want to take AP or the IB diploma program for the next two years of my high school life. I'll put down my junior year and senior year schedules for both situations. Do you guys know which schedule colleges would rather prefer? Do you know which one will give you the most college credit? I'm looking for a schedule that will really challenge me :P</p>

<p>AP Path:
11th Grade -
AP Calculus BC
AP U.S. History
AP English Language & Composition
AP Physics C
Wind Ensemble
Chinese III Honors
IB Information Technology in a Global Society SL
Civics & Economics (Summer Class)
Marching Band</p>

<p>12th Grade -
IB Math HL 2
AP English Literature & Composition
AP Chemistry
Wind Ensemble
AP Chinese Language & Culture
AP U.S. Government & Politics
Marching Band</p>

<p>IB Path:
11th Grade -
IB Math HL 1
IB History SL
IB English HL 1
IB Physics HL 1
Wind Ensemble
Chinese II Honors
IB Chemistry SL
Civics & Economics (Summer Class)
Marching Band</p>

<p>12th Grade -
IB Math HL 2
IB English HL 2
IB Physics HL 2
Wind Ensemble
IB Chinese SL
Theory of Knowledge
Marching Band</p>

<p>Thank you guys so much in advance!</p>

<p>Both schedules look challenging, but if we have to be serious, then IB is more challenging. But don’t listen to me. I’m only a sophomore, too, and I’m planning on doing IB next year myself.</p>

<p>I would take the AP path, assuming AP U.S. History > IB History SL and AP Physics C > IB Physics HL.</p>

<p>I feel IB is more challenging although I have not taken any of them.</p>

<p>From my university: Those IB’s will get you 9 units. After first semester, not even sophomore standing. (It would’ve been 23 because they only accept HL not SL exams, plus they don’t give credit for certain IB courses too)
The AP + IB schedule (first one) will get you 54 units (plus they actually count for your GEs). After first semester, almost second semester junior standing.</p>

<p>IB gets you into colleges (as far as I know, either that or they’re just gathering a bunch of smart people into one high school which they apparently do), but at AP generous universities, you can overkill the benefits with possible senior standing lol.</p>

<p>You can’t directly compare the IB classes to the AP classes. The value of IB is in the program, the EEs you have to create, the CAS you have to do. Talk to some full IB students that have experience with AP classes and ask them their opinion.</p>

<p>Think about your main goal - is it to have a demanding schedule so that you can get into top schools, or is it to get a lot of college credit? </p>

<p>Both schedules are demanding, but if you want to get into the top colleges, the IB diploma is probably slightly better (AP is definitely sufficient, but IB is slightly more impressive because it has extra requirements to get the full diploma). Thse top schools generally don’t give AP/IB credit anyways, so this shouldn’t be a huge factor. </p>

<p>If your main priority is accumulating college credits, AP is the way to go. It’s more widely recognized in the US than IB is and most universities give more credit for AP.</p>

<p>Thanks guys! I really appreciate the feedback.
From what I’m seeing, AP is good for college credits but IB is better in terms of challenging. I also heard IB helps make you well-rounded and suited for college.
I’m still thinking about which to take…
Right now I’m leaning towards the IB side.</p>