<p>Hi! I'm a sophomore and trying to decide my schedule. My school has a strong AP and IB program (22 people of 400 did it last year) and some people double up and do a mix. UVA is my number one and I'm not sure what I want to do. I like how you can have more flexibility with scheduling your classes with AP but idk if IB looks better. Some ib or ap classes are known to be tougher than the other but this doesn't show on the school profile. For example, AP chem and AP physics is harder than ib but IB English is harder than AP. Also the school profile doesn't say one is higher than the other. If I did ap, I would do around the same amount if advanced classes except Ib does tok. Also is it bad to mix? Like take some ap and some ib.</p>
<p>You can do either one, neither is preferred for admission. I had a number of friends who did IB who got less credit coming in than AP for arguably harder work, but as far as admissions is concerned it does not matter.</p>
<p>Agreed with Hazel about the credit. It’s significantly easier to get credit for AP than IB. I think most people I know who did the IB diploma got <10 credits since you don’t get credit for SLs. Everyone with AP was coming in with >20 credits.</p>
<p>There are intangibles to consider such as ToK might prepare you more for College, but that’s neither here nor there for you question about from an admissions standpoint.</p>
<p>Agree with Hazelorb. If you plan to take subject tests they are more aligned with AP. I am saying this as a parent whose kid is going to graduate with an IB Diploma. If you plan to go into STEM do AP. IB is much harder and a lot of work and you won’t get much college credit for it or rewarded for it. If you have problems in AP classes books and tutors are readily available. Not the case with IB. Most colleges only give credit for higher level ib classes. No credit for the extended essay or TOK or standard level classes.</p>
<p>There’s a great discussion on here about AP vs IB. While getting credit for high school work is great, you need to pick the program for which you are better suited. There are students whose style is a better fit for IB and would therefore do better in it.</p>
<p>We defer to your school’s profile when it comes to determining what the most advanced option is at your school. At some schools, full IB with 3-4 HLs is considered the best program possible. At other schools, they put AP and IB on the same level and would consider a full load of APs to be equal to a full IB program.</p>
<p>Again, we defer to your school to tell us what is the best program. </p>
<p>Okay great! Thanks for all your help. I talked with the guidance counselor and I feel like I’m a better fit with AP. My school only offers IB Bio HL and I would rather taken Physics 1 and 2 and AP chem. Also I’m more interested in the AP histories. Thanks again!</p>