<p>For years I've heard about how little impact the International Baccalaureate program has on college admissions. However, the majority of these statements were from students. At the same time I've also heard that they have special consideration for IB students.
Now, I know IB helps significantly with college prep, but is that really the only benefit? I know getting credits with IB is inferior to AP (its harder for universities to give specific credits to IB testers because tests subjects are so broad).
I just don't want to be shorthanded in the college admissions process. The workload is extremely difficult (I mean, it's the considered the single most difficult course of education for any public high school student). You can't expect an IB student to have as an impressive resume of extracurriculars as someone taking regular classes (with the exception of many high achievers, i understand). But working your ass of till the break of dawn has gotta give you some sort of an edge, right? I mean, my extracurriculars are not nearly as impressive as alot of the profiles I've seen on CC, but I also realize alot of them probably go through easier classes and curriculums. Of course there are many who balance the ridiculousness of IB with tons and tons of ECs. I'm just not one of those people.
IB is less established in the US than AP which has been around longer.</p>
<p>Does being an IB student really as worthless as I hear?</p>
<p>it's not worthless. </p>
<p>i think it may even give you a slight admissions edge. only because so few students have it, it makes you stand out!</p>
<p>I teach in an IB high school. Also, I am a parent of a college student. When we were visiting colleges, I asked the admissions folks how they looked at the IB program. They all said that they were very impressed with students who took this very challenging program, and they understood the demands it places on the students. That being said, they also wanted students who were able to balance their work with their ECs. No one can only do school work without going crazy! Besides, the IB also encourages, well, really requires, ECs (CAS-- creativity, action, service). So, it's built into the IB system. I would definitely recommend doing it, if you feel you are able, as it is rapidly becoming recognized as among the most rigorous programs, provided a school offers this program.</p>
<p>I'm actually an upcoming senior in the IB program. It's definitely good to hear something like this.</p>
<p>killerluck .. pm me .. ill tell you how much the IB is worth.. im an IB students too... just from one IB student to another. all i will say for now is stay in IB .. trust me</p>
<p>heyy fellow IB students..im a taiwanese IB student studying in china..glad to hear from ppl like me, guess we could share some of our thoughts and help each other out.im also an upcoming senior!!keep in contact killerluck and Shad Faraz.</p>
<p>IB is good. the top high school in my country - a notorious ivy league machine - is gonna switch from the A levels to the IB. it's getting really, really hot.</p>
<p>^ You make IB sound like a trend. However, if it is, I am oh so "in".</p>
<p>I guess it is kind of a trend, but that doesn't necessarily make it bad.</p>
<p>My daughter is an IB diploma candidate. Every admissions officer we have talked to looks at whether students have taken the most rigourous curriculum available at their school. IB is considered the most rigourous curriculum, so it is all good. Where IB can seem useless is what you will get credit for when in college. Most schools give the same weight to IB as AP, but it may vary from school to school. Many of the schools my daughter is considering do not allow IB or AP classes to take the place of graduation requirements, other schools give college credit, and they do count towards graduation requirements. Check each college you are interested in to see how they view or use the IB classes.</p>
<p>ib 2-year full-diploma program is excellent but college admissions would likely consider it "a very good plus... but" what's the buts? but you need to have good sat scores... but you need to have good essays....and so on. it's very good as long as you do fine in other areas as well. this is not to say that it's not a plus. it sure is. but good predicted grades on ib alone are not going to make up for some key weak areas, if that's the case. ib seems to be better accepted in uk than in the us. i think it's the best high school program, though.</p>
<p>My daughter is an IB diploma candidate as well, and we've come to find out that several schools will admit students as sophomores with IB scores above a certain level. Bryn Mawr and Binghamton are among them. Lots of other schools offer credit for HL courses in the same way as IB. Daughter will also take AP exams for some of the SL classes and even the HL to cover all bases.</p>
<p>My daughter also took the AP Calc B/C exam after her first year of HL IB Calculus and received a 5. If you want to pay for both exams you can. Colorado College and all the Oregon state schools also can give you Sophomore status.</p>
<p>IB is decent program. It depends on what school you go to. I know alot of my friends who are in an IB program at another school but there IB program is way easier than my AP/GT program at my school. But then again my school is ranked in the top 300 of NewsWeek but theres (my friends) school is not</p>
<p>^^ I'm guessing that it's not grammar for which your school is so well-regarded? (Just teasing!)</p>
<p>IB is not school-dependent. You either attain the diploma or you don't, and it's up to each individual college to determine how to address it. Doing research for my D, it appears that most colleges address the individual classes in t e same way as AP and handle the actual diploma differently.</p>
<p>1) U.S. Ministry of Education decided to bring I.B. to more middle-income families.
2) I.B. emphasizes world perspectives and compassion. In geography, we learn about sweatshops, child labor, GDP, Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDC), MEDCs, STI (STD), etc. I.B. is a fantastic program. After you complete I.B., when you look at A.P. exams, they will be a breeze. (From an I.B. junior who tried AP Biology and Calculus without studying.)
3) In I.B. English, you get a sneak peek at some of the world literatures you will be reading in university.</p>
<p>Granted, I.B. IS tough. You will be rewarded.</p>
<p>If I am an admission officer, I will admit as many brilliant I.B. students as possible.</p>
<p>Rice and Wash U admissions call my school's counseling dept. every year begging for more applicants (who are willing to attend once accepted). A handful (5-10) apply every year; about only 1 or 2 go even though practically all those who are full-IB diploma are always accepted.</p>
<p>IB is a lot of hard work, but it pays off in the end, not only in terms of college admissions, but also in terms of, like, education.</p>
<p>I.B. students are better prepared for College work than regular students.</p>
<p>Tell you the truth, I really feel fulfilled after undergoing a year of I.B. This program is amazing. One year down, one more to go.</p>
<p>These are all wonderful responses. This pretty much confirms my beliefs about IB, but its good to hear colleges and real people talking directly about it.</p>
<p>I would say it's more impressive than AP's. By how much? I dont know</p>