I’m currently a junior and a candidate for the IB Diploma. I am considering dropping out senior year but worried about how it will look on college admissions. I’m taking all AP classes and yearbook as an EC. One of the things about the IB program at my school is that we are required to do both IB and AP work, hence doubling our academic requirements. I don’t really see the point in sticking since I am going to be taking the corresponding AP test with the IB class. For example, I’m in IB Bio SL but will also take the AP Bio Exam along with the IB Exam this year. According to my counselor, the only part that will mention IB is a checkbox that asks “Is this a student an IB candidate?” I don’t know if I drop it will it hurt my chances at getting into prestigious universities. I don’t have a hook factor nor any outstanding achievement I can boast to colleges, so I feel that IB will make me look better. At the same time, IB is stressing me out. I hate the IA’s and don’t want to do the extended experience for CAS.
My daughter is completing IBD in a month.
I get it - the IB is tough. It is stressful. If you “hate” doing the IAs and the CAS it would make it even more difficult.
The benefit of the IB is twofold. First, colleges do recognize the IB as the “most rigorous” curriculum available to HS students. Second, nothing prepares you better for college level work.
However, completing the IB is NOT a golden ticket to getting into top-tier schools. My daughter is on track for a 45/45 in IB. She was closed out of her top reach choices - as were most of the students in her IB school. In fact, as were most students who applies to those colleges from every type of background.
So, if you are sticking with the IB just to get into top schools - don’t bother.
But, some schools give you extra credit for doing well on teh IB tests…eg. SUNY Binghamton
Students in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program may receive up to 32 credits. To receive the full 32 credits, the following conditions must be met:
The IB Diploma must be completed with a score of 30 or more points; and
The student must complete at least three Higher Level exams with a score of 5 or higher.
Diploma holders who meet these conditions receive credit for their individual exam scores plus additional liberal arts elective credit to total 32 credits.
With that and some summer courses, my DD graduated a year and a half early and went on to her Master’s Degree.
My daughter took the AP exam in nearly all her IB classes and it was no extra work at all.
@bopper - but is it better than what the student can get from AP exams alone? Can it be combined?
In some cases, yes. Look at colleges of interest and see what they do.