<p>which is better? AP or IB?</p>
<p>Uh... depends. I like AP because it's only one year and if I don't like something I don't have to go through more then one year. Some people like AP and some people like IB. It's personal preference.</p>
<p>What about universities? Which one do most universities prefer??</p>
<p>[Disclaimer: I'm an IB student]</p>
<p>In the US, AP is more widely accepted than IB. IB is more popular overseas, especially in Europe.</p>
<p>The general concensus is that IB is generally harder than AP. IB is comprehensive in a way that it forces students to take all different types of subjects rather than the pick-and-choose method in AP. IB is a much more structured program. </p>
<p>Be aware though that colleges are more liberal on AP college credit than the IB ones.</p>
<p>AHHHHHHHH THE DREADED AP-V-IB THREAD!!!! there will be no agreement!!! and an online fight will start lol. They both have their pros and cons. there isn't a better program.</p>
<p>^^Agree with swim2daend, this sort of thread only provokes arguements. As long as you are taking the hardest course load possible in eather there is no significant difference, at least in the US. I personally would endorse IB over AP, but I'm a bit biased :)</p>
<p>
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What about universities? Which one do most universities prefer??
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Among the elite colleges, it varies. Duke specifically favors IB applicants, but Caltech does not. The majority of colleges have not heard of IB.</p>
<p>Really, it's the extra things (Extended Essay, TOK, Group 4, Internal Assessments, World Literature Papers, community service, etc.) that set IB apart from AP. The two are roughly comparable academically, although HL classes tend to cover more subjects. </p>
<p>Because of their open-ended nature, IB exams tend to be more difficult than AP exams. For example, the AP English Literature exam has multiple choice- this is supposed to be a college-level exam??? The IB English exam, in contrast, simply presents you with a passage about which you're expected to write 7-8 pages of detailed analysis. You have to analyze it as best you can and hope that you're making the points the markers are looking for.</p>
<p>
[quote]
They both have their pros and cons. there isn't a better program.
[/quote]
I agree. I went the IB Diploma route and added as many APs as I could fit in. My sister doesn't want to give up orchestra and creative writing and is going the IB Certificate route (3 IB classes instead of 6). Different strokes for different folks.</p>
<p>flip a coin.</p>
<p>eanie, meanie, miney, moe...</p>
<p>Unlike IB, AP is offered around where I live, so that's what I take. Is IB more urbanly-centered?</p>
<p>^^ I'm not sure, there's only like one IB school within 100 miles of me, too. I didn't even know what IB was until I came on here.</p>
<p>thanx... well i got to make the decision some how...</p>
<p>IB! Truly, the IB is great...</p>
<p>kiwi, is there anyway you can combine the 2? At my school, we take both IB and AP classes.</p>
<p>IB is more for the types of people who want to be well-rounded, and is probably more theoretical in nature. Watch out, though - it'll consume almost your entire schedule. Many schools in America don't have IB. IB is probably more rigorous, though I'm not sure.</p>
<p>AP, on the other hand, is more flexible and also more for those who want to specialize. The main advantage is that you can take what you want to and not get stuck with difficult courses in subjects you find boring.</p>
<p>IB is really widespread here in Florida. There are like 3/9 high schools in my county that offer an IB program. :/ </p>
<p>I chose to go the AP route.</p>
<p>IB is more rigorous because you have limited control on your classes. You have to take classes on all subjects whether you like it or not.</p>
<p>You CAN still do AP while taking IB. Who said you need AP classes for AP tests?</p>
<p>But i can't . my school only offers IB program, but if i want to the AP program then i can go to the neighbor school (same distance to my place, but different program).</p>