<p>Hi, I'm an international student attending an international school in Beijing, China. Can i have some feedback on whether the Full IB Diploma makes a difference to Colleges in the US? USC For example, i'd like to go there. I'm a sophomore, so i'm making a choice on whether Full IB or not for next 2 years of HS.
Thanks.</p>
<p>I don't think it really matters whether you take IB or AP courses. They are both viewed to be rigorous, college-prep courses. What I'm trying to say is that universities don't usually place a preference upon whether or not you're taking IB or AP classes. However, the difference between taking an IB/AP curriculum and not taking IB/AP courses can cost you. I'm also an international student and I'm taking the full IB diploma. I got into USC with an SAT score of ~1900 and a pretty high GPA along with the full IB diploma. Personally, I don't think choosing to take the full diploma or only IB certificates has a huge effect upon your admission decision. If taking the full diploma will cost you your GPA, then I suggest you don't. However, if you maintain your GPA while taking the full IB diploma, that will probably work best. However, I think taking several IB certificate higher-level courses (4 perhaps) along with other high school courses (if honors courses are offered, that will also look good) would be enough. Taking the full diploma is not as important in the US as it is elsewhere (Europe or Canada). However, you still have to challenge yourself by taking as many IB certificate courses that you can, if not the full diploma. </p>
<p>Let me know if you need anything else. :)</p>
<p>if you're an international student, I guess you don't have AP classes? if you do, then taking a mix of IB and AP classes are just as good because colleges don't really differentiate between the two.</p>
<p>but if not, go for the full IB program if you can work hard enough for it. colleges do understand how hard the IB program is and it gives them a sense of how hard you can work/how intelligent you are, because they know what standard to measure your grades by.</p>
<p>full IB diploma is always preferred and expected if it is offered and if you want to get into a top college in the US.... although i'm not sure if USC is in that range of top colleges that expect one to take the IB Diploma</p>
<p>what's your alternative if you're not doing IB? you should always try to take the most rigorous curriculum that you can succeed in if you want to get into a good college.</p>