<p>I am a sophomore at a small, suburban high school that offers the full IB Diploma and 2 AP Classes. Right now I am taking Honors Chemistry, Honors English, AP European History, Honors Algebra II, and Spanish III, the most rigorous curriculum offered to a sophomore, and doing extremely well. I am also part of the Science Research program, and possibly have an excellent opportunity at a local lab this summer. </p>
<p>Next year I must decide whether or not to do the full IB Diploma.
I like the rigorous curriculum, and know it is necessary for elite college admission.
I dislike the fact that I won't be able to take the necessary Science Research class, AP Calculus (4th year of math in HS), and will have to take IB Art, something I am terrible at. </p>
<p>Does it look very bad for a competitive student to not take the full IB Diploma, but take all IB classes? I would still write an extensive science research paper, and complete 150+ hours in community service or other ECs, replacing CAS hours. </p>
<p>Junior Year Schedule:
Full IB Diploma No IB Diploma
IB Physics IB Physics
IB English IB English
IB History IB History
IB Spanish IB Spanish
IB Math SL IB Math SL
TOK Science Research
IB Art</p>
<p>Senior Year Schedule:
Full IB Diploma No IB Diploma
IB Chemistry IB Chemistry
IB English IB English
IB History IB History
IB Spanish IB Spanish
TOK AP Calculus
IB Art Science Research</p>
<p>Which schedule looks better to top 20 colleges/ivies, and does it look bad that I did not do the full IB diploma, given the reasons I have?</p>
<p>You’re still taking rigorous classes, so I don’t see what the problem is. I would personally go with the IB diploma though, you’ll have tons of opportunities for internships and lab work. </p>
<p>And is your junior math SL as in Calculus, or SL as in math studies?</p>
<p>your EE is your science research paper - you can send an abstract to the unis.
go for the diploma it looks great.
plus you take Art and sciences at same time. very balance. I wanted to take physics and Art HL but my school scheduled them at the same time =(. So i took English A1 HL to show a strong humanity.</p>
<p>If you’re doing everything that Full Dip. students do, then they won’t hold it against you. It’s like taking AP without doing exams at the end of the year. But make sure your counselor addresses this in his/her rec letter.</p>
<p>I just realized the schedules came out messed up, so I reposted correct ones. </p>
<p>I think the Math SL is Calculus/pre-Calculus, not sure, but I know it’s harder than Math Studies. </p>
<p>For my school the research paper doesn’t count as an EE, so I’d have to write a different essay for that. Would you say that even though I wouldn’t be able to take AP Calculus and Science Research, and only 1, not 2 years of science, I should do the diploma? Also, how will the diploma give me opportunities for internships and lab work?</p>
<p>Edit: @Melin - So would it make sense if my GC said “due to scheduling problems, ncm2012 took all the IB Classes and science research, but could not take the Diploma”? I completely agree that TOK is a joke class, and don’t really want to take it.</p>
<p>It would. They’d rather see “science research” than a BS class like TOK if the colleges you’re applying to know what you do in that class. They would definitely appreciate AP Calculus over IB Art!!</p>
<p>One junior who is interested in engineering did say that colleges said they’d rather see him taking challenging Physics classes and doing well in them, and couldn’t care less what he did in IB Art.</p>
<p>I find your dilemma somewhat hard to understand. For the most part you’re planning to take the IB program at your school, but you’re holding off in some way so it’s not really the IB but the “IB -”. Also since you don’t view yourself as an IB student, I expect that you won’t take the final IB exam at the end of senior year.</p>
<p>If I were an admissions committee officer I would have trouble with your reasoning. It’s too complicated, especially since what you are taking and what’s required for the full IB are almost the same. I would like to give you credit for taking the IB, but I see that I can’t because you’re not taking it.</p>
<p>Anyway my opinion is “take the IB, and all the required courses for the IB”. And at the end of your senior year take (and ace) the IB exam. You’ll have an internationally recognized degree. You’ll have a simple and very positive story for the admissions committee, and years from now you will recall (I predict) your success with the pleasure that comes with achievement.</p>
<p>By the way, almost all top-colleges know about the IB, and treat it with a great deal of respect.</p>
<p>there are significant scholarships out there for full IB diploma grads. You can do a google search for a full list. Lots in florida, the University of Rochester, NY etc</p>
<p>Is IB Art the only option at your school? My son is also a science type and was able to gear his selections accordingly while still covering all 6 areas.</p>
<p>At his school TOK is considered an excellent course. Not at all hard but very thought provoking and fun.,</p>
<p>The curriculum is TOUGH. Finalizing the EE now, midterms, and balancing CAS hours is a big committment. You also need a “life”. Can you do the IB diploma and use the CAS for things you do anyway, or at least enjoy? If you are doiing it ONLY for the prestige, it may not be worth it.</p>
<p>Consider calling an admissions counselor at one of your top choice colleges. Explain your reasons pro/con and get their thoughts</p>
<p>As a sophomore, I don’t really have a top choice college right now. </p>
<p>@skier29: What did your son take in place of IB Art/Film? Basically, if you were deciding whether to do IB again or not, what would you choose, and why?</p>