<p>Out of curiousity, which is better?
AP Scholar w/ Distinction or AP Int'l Scholar
OR
The IB diploma?</p>
<p>IB Diploma is better. I'm biased (IB Diploma Candidate).</p>
<p>AP is better.</p>
<p>Neither is necessarily better. APs give you more flexibility while the IB program is more comprehensive overall (requiring an extended essay and some community service).</p>
<p>Colleges don't favor one over the other so go with the option that you like better.</p>
<p>some universities like the idea of a IB Diploma Candidate - as an all-rounded, comprehensive learning experience where picking courses is bound within a set critiera - one main language, one forign language, one math, one science, one humnaities and one art (interchangebale with some other courses) and plus the wrteched TOK and EE, because such an all-rounded course basically reflects what they offer as a Core curriculum (Chicago, for example.) </p>
<p>neither is necessarily better, but I'm going to be biased as well (like skyhawkk08) and say the Diploma's better as you're not necessarily picking courses you like or think you're good at. besides, kudos to all those out there that struggle with "WHAT IS REASON" and moan about why we need to know about the "ways of knowing." </p>
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Colleges don't favor one over the other so go with the option that you like better.
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<p>seems more apt. if you are only a math/science person or humanities/language oriented person, it seems IB diploma might not be the thing for you</p>
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kudos to all those out there that struggle with "WHAT IS REASON" and moan about why we need to know about the "ways of knowing."
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</p>
<p>I guess that's part of TOK. Maybe a fuse of both AP and IB would be nice because non-IB students are permitted to take TOK, although I am math/science oriented.
Reason: a rational motive for a belief or action</p>
<p>Im an IB student as well, and I think IB is really good. I don't know too much about AP, but I think AP is just a year, where IB is two years of intensive preperation. But in the end, it really does not matter for US colleges, cause you only receive credits with a 5+ on HL exams.</p>
<p>I'd say colleges see that they're equally here in the US, but IB Diploma blows AP out of the water in ANY other country :)</p>
<p>LOL, and try this Facebook group:</p>
<p>IB>AP.</p>
<p>The AP program has really low standards for passing. 60% is enough for a five on many tests. The low level of mastery demonstrated by AP exams is a reason that many top colleges do not accept AP credit anymore. At least outside of math or languages.</p>
<p>Are these ppl IB fanatics?
Apparently, everyone at my school who got into the Ivys took APs</p>
<p>AP is the more popular program in America but that doesn't mean it's better.</p>
<p>Here we go again!!!</p>
<p>"Apparently, everyone at my school who got into the Ivys took APs"</p>
<p>At my school, we had two people that got into top schools, and they were both IB diploma candidates. One is going to Columbia, one is going to Stanford.</p>
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The low level of mastery demonstrated by AP exams is a reason that many top colleges do not accept AP credit anymore.
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<p>Could it also be that in giving credit to so many students who have shown a proficiency in AP/IB exams lessen their bottom lines? Most students applying to the more selective schools are loaded with IB/AP credits. i.e., my S would already have sophomore status at many schools that accept AP credits. That would potentially translate into one year of lost revenue for some. While many selective schools have raised the minimum scores for giving credit or have used AP/IB exams for placement, I haven't seen a trend in which they haven't been credited at all. Also, I'm not saying that you're not correct in your statement of 60%correct answers translate into a "5" on an AP exam(translating into an A), but that would be quite a curve. Care to elaborate which AP exams do so?</p>
<p>To the original post. I haven't read much definative information as to which is preferred by adcoms, so I would guess that as in other admission considerations, they look at how well a particular student has done given the opportunities presented.</p>
<p>I may be biased, but I transferred from a school offering many AP classes, and am now at an IB school, and I can without a doubt say that IB is harder. The classes you take are hard enough that if you find yourself doing well in them, you can usually take several AP's with limited/no studying, just by the overlapping material covered in AP/IB. I'm not saying their is anything wong with AP, but if your school offers IB, doing the full diploma will be judged by colleges as taking the hardest course load possible, which will help you admission wise. Although if you're going to get b's and c's in IB, I would sugest picking and choosing AP classes.</p>
<p>If your school offers both cirricula (fairly common in Virginia, especially in Central Virginia), we let the high school tell us which is more rigorous. One GC may say AP is the highest level taught, another will say IB is, and still another will say they are equal in strength.</p>
<p>hmmm... yeah, is it just me, or is VA a pretty "IB-centred" state? I live in NOVA, and my school, offers only IB, with AP Comp. Gov. being offered as a combined AP/IB class</p>
<p>I've taken a bit of both (IB Lit HL, IB Math HL / AP Chem, AP Calc BC, AP Stats [the last two were minimal self study based on what I did in my IB math class--so I'd second what IBProcrastinator said about overlapping material]), and have found IB to be harder as well. There isn't a multiple choice section--just lots of free response / essay. There are also multiple examinations / assignments, so it's not a one-shot-and-done deal (making it rather stressful). </p>
<p>As for the original question--both are excellent anyhow, and you'd learn a lot either way. Really, whichever you feel will be better for you and how you test.</p>
<p>I feel like the biggest difference between AP and IB is the purpose of education/classes. AP is very individual and you take classes in subject areas where you excel in order to earn college credit. The IB Diploma program is a complete education! I have many friends who excel in math/physics, yet have to take IB English. This challenges them in all areas of their education and creates worldly scholars.</p>
<p>IB forces you to do CAS (Community, Action, and Service) in order to be well rounded. You have to take Theory of Knowledge and examine issues through different academic disciplines (great class, mix of philosophy and is very interdisciplinary). You also have to complete the Extended Essay on the topic of your choice (4,000 words). I love IB and I love how it forces me as a student to look outward upon the world and read books from different cultures, examine different cultural practices in subjects like biology and psychology.</p>
<p>On the list of schools with the most number of IB programs, Virginia is third. I don't remember what states are in first and second. In 2006, Virginia students had the highest number of IB Diplomas.</p>
<p>I think it's a good sign. The fact that students can pick between AP, IB, and dual enrollment at some schools gives me the feeling that students are really being counseled about their choices (instead of being told that there's only one option for advanced work).</p>