AP vs. IB

<p>Hello all, I am new to the forums and need some help. I am going to be a junior this year, and am already signed up for all IB courses, but I'm starting to have second thoughts. I have read several articles about whether AP or IB is better for getting into college, including some threads on this forum, but I still have some questions. My school offers both courses, and this past year I took AP English 3, receiving a 4 on the AP exam. If I were to take IB, I would have to take IB English 3, which makes me feel like I am having to retake a course even though I know the coursework will be different in some ways. Also, if I take IB I will have no room for extracurriculars. I have heard many things about IB, and most people I know that took the course make it out to be a horrible experience, mostly because some of the IB teachers are horrible. I have been thinking about contacting colleges I am considering to go to (like Clemson, Georgia Tech, Illinois institute of technology to name a few) to see what they weigh on more heavily. I have done very well with all my courses, I even got the highest GPA in my English 3 AP course even though it is considered an 11th grade course. I am also in the top 10 of my class (last time I checked I was number 2). I have gotten straight A's throughout High school, and hope to keep that up, I believe my weighted GPA is 4.9. I feel like if I were to take IB I would become too stressed out and overworked, but I can't really know if that will happen unless I take the course. Also, I feel like during the school year I never have free time during the weekdays, but that might be because of my work ethic (and if anyone has tips on how to get through homework quicker, I could use some help). So, my question is this: considering my specific circumstances, what would be better for me to take? AP or IB?</p>

<p>Most colleges weigh IB and AP equally. So if you take AP english language and then IB english language, it would give you credit for the same course. I would recommend if you already took an AP class, that you continue in that field. For english, take the AP english lit instead of language. They are two different courses. With the sciences, just take a different science. It is perfectly ok to do AP bio then IB chem. just try not to duplicate courses as it will not give you different course credits. I’m not saying stick only to AP. just dont duplicate courses.</p>

<p>IB English is extremely different than AP English. Although a full course load of AP is, on paper, roughly the equivalent of a full IB Diploma, the materials learned is quite different.</p>

<p>For example:</p>

<p>The AP Psych test mainly consists of several multiple choice questions asking what a person’s possible disorder may be, where the IB Psych test (SL) consists of 4 essays over 2 days (paper 1 and paper 2.)</p>

<p>Overall, I would say IB is more humanities based. Even on the math tests, there are no multiple choice problems; if you don’t know a problem, you can still salvage partial credit by showing work.</p>

<p>For the course load itself, full IB is a challenge, but certainly doable. (As is AP.)</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>I would do IB any day, but then again, I am biased. I think it is a better prep for college with the rigor, extra papers, extended essays, ect. AP is cute and all, but I think IB is better in the long run. I mean, are there multiple choice tests in college, or do you get a series of different essays, projects, ect? The answer is obvious to be which is a bit better.</p>

<p>However, this is not to deride AP. Both AP and IB are solid, but, eh, I know which one I prefer.</p>

<p>DISCLAIMER: THIS IS BASED ON MY OWN EXPERIENCE. THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHERS MAY VARY.</p>

<p>I took both AP and IB in high school. AP was a joke - incredibly easy. IB, in comparison, was extremely challenging.</p>

<p>My daughter is doing the full IB diploma with some a la carte APs thrown in. For HER, IB is a better choice because she loves the papers and projects. She is having the time of her life with the extended essay. Don’t just factor in the actual classes, if you’re doing IB, consider how you will feel about/deal with CAS and the extended essay, as well.</p>

<p>Ultimately, both show extreme rigor and you can’t go wrong with whatever you choose. Just pick what suits you best and good luck!</p>