AP vs. IB - Which Do Colleges Prefer?

Archive Ask The Dean Archive
81

<p>A 5 on the BC Calculus test is MUCH easier to obtain than a 7 on the IB HL Math test.</p>

<p>In fact, it may be easier to obtain a 5 on the AB BC Calculus test than a 7 on the IB standard level Math test. Ask my daughter. She got a 6 on IB SL Math and a 5 on AP BC Calculus.</p>

<p>IB scores of 7, in general, are few and far between. Scores of 6 are not so rare but are still considerably less common than scores of 4 or 5 (considered together) on most AP tests. </p>

<p>This is something to think about when a student plans what tests to take at the end of high school. Many IB students take AP tests in their SL subjects as "backups" because their colleges don't give credit for IB SL scores. But sometimes, it also makes sense to take an AP test as a backup for an IB HL test. </p>

<p>My daughter did this for English. To place out of a required freshman writing seminar at her college, a student has to have either a 5 on one of the AP English tests (either one will do) or a 7 on the IB HL English test. My daughter knew that the chances of her getting a 7 on the IB test were slim. So she also took the AP English Language test, with no preparation whatsoever. She got a 5 on the AP test (which got her the exemption from the writing course) and a 6 on the IB test (which would have gotten her absolutely nothing).</p>

82

<p>Signing up for IB and then changing her mind and withdrawing from the program apparently did not affect admissions for my daughter. Admitted to Northwestern, Oberlin and Kenyon, among other schools. Still awaiting Williams. Has not been rejected from any school, but wait-listed at one school for apparently perceived (and accurate) lack of real interest.</p>

83

<p>From our college visits, we summed up that if a kid has the chance and this is important to note because lots of schools do not offer IB, but if they have that chance, that it is extremely highly regarded amongst particularly higher ranked colleges, every admissions rep we spoke to couldnt' say enough good things about it and how it looks on an app. But again everything in context, if your school offers AP and you take those and do well then in my eyes its the same...its more about taking the most rigorous load your particular school offers.</p>

84

<p>Which colleges did you visit? I have had similar experiences. However at JH the admissions person, when asked which is considered by admissions as most rigorous at a school that offers both, said to me "there are very few schools that offer both and they (the JH adcoms) know those schools." Actually, in Florida, there are many schools that offer both. While he did say, that where both are offered they view IB as the most rigorous, I was concerned about the lack of awareness of the many schools that offer both AP and IB. This fact clearly shows on the IB student's transcript since the IB kids (at schools that offer both) all have taken many AP courses and AP course are even used in the IB sequence during non-testing years.</p>

85

<p>I go to a HS where both AP and IB is offered, and a good number of students (usually the top ones) do both. Since they do their best to combine the AP and IB classes into these extensive classes, I can say that I have views of both sides.</p>

<p>With AP, the classes resemble US college courses more, some are more rigorous than IB courses, and you have much more flexibility. It's well known in the US, and you can set it up so you take exactly what you want.</p>

<p>In IB, you have a comprehensive well-rounded program where you are made to do lots of work. It's a huge commitment in which you start the program your junior year and work to the end. If you cut anything, you're pretty much losing everything, since the IB certificates by themselves mean very little. There's lots of work, and you'll get some unique experiences such as TOK, etc. However, the program basically strips out personality when it makes everyone do the same things. Yes, there's still a little amount of flexibility, but I'd have to say anything below that, and it'll be almost unacceptable. Also, it is important to note that many requirements take away your summer, are graded in somewhat questionable ways, and are just generally brutal.</p>

<p>Which one is better depends on you. If you're just a well-rounded student who needs some pushing, IB is excellent. However, if you're particularly strong at some areas, have some well-defined passions, etc., IB can be quite limiting and destroy the last two years of your high school life. For example, when I entered HS, I was disqualified from IB for having too advanced of a Spanish level, making it so that I can't take the right courses at the right time. The same almost applied to my math level; those with a similar math level had to carefully plan and go thru many pointless technicalities just to get IB (eg. pushing off Statistics until senior year when they're already taking Calculus sophomore year).</p>

<p>From my friends who are in IB, there are very few that really like it. Most just do it for an extra item on their resume. I went with AP because I was able to emphasize my strengths in math and science.</p>

<p>In short, IB is an all-around personality-shaper that makes an average person much better, though its effectiveness is limited to certain people; AP allows you to challenge yourself in areas you're strong at. Which one is better depends on you. When it comes to colleges, they just think - what did you do that made you a better student than many others?</p>

86

<p>Here is a link to a related thread in the college admissions section that's compiling info about those accepted to the Ivy League and if they took AP or IB. Could be of help and interest to those wondering which colleges prefer!</p>

87

<p>
[quote]
For example, when I entered HS, I was disqualified from IB for having too advanced of a Spanish level, making it so that I can't take the right courses at the right time.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I would think that your school could do better than that.</p>

<p>At the IB school my daughter attended, students who were too far advanced in a language simply discontinued their study of that language for a year or two in the early part of high school (most of them took a different language or another academic elective instead) and then resumed their study of the language in 11th and 12th grades, taking the IB HL exam at the end of 12th grade. </p>

<p>Admittedly, it is a bit difficult to resume your study of a foreign language after not having used the language for a year or two, but as many college students can tell you, it is possible.</p>

<p>I am surprised that your IB coordinator didn't think of this option. Disqualifying you from IB because you were too advanced in Spanish should not have been necessary.</p>

88

<p>My daughter dropped out of her school's fledgling IB program because it was not rigorous enough for her and did not allow her to pursue her other interest (theater). The HS represents its IB program as its most rigorous program despite the fact that this is the first graduating class, it has no history with the exams, and other classes (especially in Math/Science) were more rigorous than those offered in IB. She ended up taking a mixture of IB and AP classes which was truly more rigorous than than the IB offered, except for the essay and CAS requirements. She is a National Merit Finalist with a 3.9 UW GPA. She was accepted at Northwestern (among others) and rejected at Williams. It is hard to say whether her decision to drop IB hurt her since admittance to either school was viewed as essentially a coin flip for her and she got into one and not the other. She applied to 11 schools and Williams was her only rejection. If it hurt her, it did not hurt her much not to complete IB.</p>

89

<p>I've been wondering.. My high school offers both the IB and the AP programs along with a program called the ATMS.</p>

<p>I'm starting my freshman year with either Trig or Stats for math in ATMS, but for my other classes, I am confused whether I should choose the IB or the AP. </p>

<p>From what I've heard, IB isn't as great as the AP in the POV of American colleges, but my teachers are recommending the IB classes becuase it's an easier program that offers the same amount of credit.</p>

<p>I am VERY confused.</p>

90

<p>If IB is easier, take AP.</p>

91

<p>It seems that they're typically the same for college admissions.</p>

<p>However, if at your school IB is regarded as and/or is actually easier, take AP. You don't want councilors and teachers writing that you took the easy way out, because colleges are taking this in the context of your school</p>

92

<p>to clear up the question: </p>

<p>how were IB and AP clases for you? Whats different about them compared to regular clases?</p>

93

<p>Well, at my school, IB is considered more difficult than AP. I think this is because most kids do not choose to take AP as a "program," and just take selected classes here and there.</p>

<p>In reality, I've found the classes to be pretty similar in terms of difficulty, though I believe that the AP sciences are harder. The other main difference is that IB gives you a whole load of extra work to do so it's somewhat more time-consuming. IB and AP also emphasize different things in each subject, so that's something to consider.</p>

<p>As compared to regular classes, IB/AP classes will be more challenging and require more work. They also generally have the fortunate effect of containing less idiots than normal classes, at least in my experience.</p>

94

<p>Note that you'll only be able to get college credit for HL IB courses (SL typically doesn't qualify for credit) whereas all AP courses can qualify. AP is great for specializing, whereas IB forces well-roundedness. The full IB programme can be very challenging, especially since you need to add TOK, EE, and CAS (EE's probably the worst in terms of eating up time; TOK and CAS aren't that big of a deal, but they also eat up time with essays, forms, etc. to write)</p>

<p>Both IB and AP are well regarded by colleges.</p>

95

<p>They're usually regarded as equals when it comes to colleges, so the deciding factor should be what's best for you.</p>

<p>If you are a well-rounded student who fits in well with the IB curriculum and are willing to commit to the system and go through with it, then IB is probably for you. It has the advantage of giving a wider perspective while pushing you to do a few things you usually won't do otherwise.</p>

<p>However, if you prefer flexibility and tend to have a clear niche for some subjects, AP is more focused and does things in a more "American" way. For some courses, AP is more rigorous than IB, so you can gain more for those.</p>

<p>It really comes down to who you are and what you want to do. I personally took AP because IB would have held me back and caused lots of arbitrary inconveniences because of my strengths in math. So, I did AP and had the opportunity to take more math and science classes in the area that I was interested.</p>

<p>In short, IB drives you towards a generically better education, while AP allows you to drive yourself for your own needs. Which one is better really depends on you.</p>

96

<p>Colleges know both AP and IB well. BTW, AP is not a "program". IB is very reading/writing intense, and many courses require several resarch papers which are sent to an external office for grading. Also, IB exams are heavily concentrated towards the end of the senior year (does not bode well for senioritis-prone individuals). AP exams can be taken at the end of a course in any grade, or one can self-study or take an IB class and give the corresponding AP exam a shot. At D's school, juniors are not allowed to take more than 2 IB exams, and none of those exams can be in HL IB classes. D will be taking quite a few IB exams before she graduates in June, although she opted out of the full IB diploma.</p>

97

<p>Full IB program with diploma is 'harder' than just maximizing AP classes. However, AP is easier for colleges to deal with and therefore it's easier to pick up college credits with AP. As has been said, IB SL classes rarely transfer, even though an IB SL is very comparable in difficulty to an AP class.</p>

98

<p>IB in my opinion is "harder" for two reasons:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>IB requires MUCH more work than just taking classes (Diploma program)</p></li>
<li><p>IB requires more material to be retained and taught for tests. For example, IB expects students to know about 80-90% of the material for the IB Biology HL exam while the AP Biology exam you are only expected to know about 40-50% of the material.</p></li>
</ol>

99

<p>Most school if not all don't give credit to SL IB but some of them will grant you 30 credits iof you score 30/ 42 for your IB. Which means, that when you attend the school, you will have sophomore standing and depending on your HL, you won't have to take some prerequesite. If you score 7 for your IB econ HL, you will more likely receive credit for two principle classes or a principle and an intermediate econ class</p>

100

<p>IB>Ap</p>

<p>I bet that any of the people who are saying that IB was too easy would fail French A1. That's the big deal
LOL :D</p>