<p>I'm currently a sophomore , who hopes to major in Economics at Duke, and the time has come for me to choose the courses I am taking for the IB next year. I am currently undecided on what to take for my third HL subject. Below is what I have decided so far:</p>
<p>Group 1: English A1 (HL)
Group 2: German B Standard SL
Group 3: Economics HL
Group 4: Chemistry SL
Group 5: Maths (SL or HL)
Group 6: Psychology (HL) or History (SL)</p>
<p>My dilemma is that taking English, Econ, and Psychology at higher level would result in a very high GPA but the courseload is rather easy. On the other hand, taking English, Econ, and Maths at HL would give me a lower GPA (Maths HL is by far the most difficult subject in the IB) but is much more respectable in terms of difficulty.</p>
<p>Basically, I would like to know what Duke would value more: a higher GPA or a harder workload. If anyone here is currently taking or has graduated from the IB, any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much :)</p>
<p>The issue I see with taking history as an SL is that it leaves you up in the air senior year. Colleges generally like to see four years of history, which is why most IB students go the HL history route. Did you plan to take a AP history course senior year?</p>
<p>I vote for math at HL. I took math as an SL but took the AP calc route afterwards; either way, some exposure to calculus would be useful for a prospective econ major. Math at Duke is not taught very well, in my opinion, though others may disagree.</p>
<p>all IB classes are two-year courses…
why would taking history SL leave him free senior year?</p>
<p>
SL and HL courses typically take one and two years, respectively. Perhaps history SL is an exception; I’m not familiar with it.</p>
<p>perhaps it’s different at your school. i’m a full diploma student, and at those schools i know about, all IB courses are two years.</p>
<p>Thank you for the replies. yeah, I’ll be a full IB diploma student. I live in Switzerland so we don’t get the option of AP or honors over here. That being said, would HL Math still be a better option?</p>