<p>So, as the title suggests, how much does being IBDC or IBDRecipient help in getting you into better/top-tier colleges? When I say "being IBDC/IBDR" I also mean being those things and getting great grades in the IB classes. When looking for imofrmation about this, I can always seem to find AP info, but not IB. Do colleges think that is an important or desirable quality for a student to have?</p>
<p>Thanks! =)</p>
<p>It’s definitely good; IB diploma is usually the most rigorous program offered at IB high schools, so the fact that you take it and do well in it. While many colleges don’t treat IB equal to AP in credit, it helps you in college admissions to those top schools that care about things like extracurriculars and volunteer work when choosing between applicants since IB program commands students to participate in those things (150 hours, I think, right?) While IB isn’t incredibly rare anymore, it’s still pretty good and, depending on the college, can at minimum at least get you recognized for your course rigor and service and at most can get you not only a good chance of acceptance but some merit aid or gen-ed requirement waivers.</p>
<p>It will help, but I think it helps only as much as a rigorous curriculum involving multiple APs. For the top-tier colleges, extracurriculars and activities done after/outside school are relevant. IB won’t get you in by itself, but it will definitely help.</p>
<p>The full diploma is quite rigorous if done right, and will ensure you get a curriclum balanced across the disciplines (versus AP, where you can take what you want), in addition to requiring community service and the extended essay. But this is the same kind of education (strong basis for research papers, academically strong, service-oriented) that many private schools and top publics also boast.</p>
<p>Still, I’ve heard (objective measurement, I know) that certain schools are fond of IB–Princeton, for example, who apparently regards it as one of the most rigorous high school opportunities. Other colleges refuse to disgintuish it from AP, though that distinction might be worth researching on the adcom side. Chapel Hill loves loves loves Diploma candidates from my high school, since despite lower GPAs, these kids come in with an ability to do their work, ask the right questions, and–above all–write that even some vals at lousy public schools never learn.</p>
<p>IB removed the 150 hour CAS requirement. It’s very sketchy now… it’s a “recommendation”, not a requirement.</p>
<p>Also, I have found that the PROCESS of IB has been great and really beneficial, but not in the way you’d think. Sure, IB constitutes the most rigorous course load at most schools, but don’t be fooled by the “statistics” your guidance counselor or IB coordinator tries to give you. If she hands you a sheet telling you that normally selective schools have dramatically higher acceptance rates for IB students, don’t be fooled. “Statistics” can say anything you want them to say. That stuff simply isn’t true. (Correlation is not causality and all that jazz.)</p>
<p>Also, if you’re going to take IB, please be aware that the “standard” is not the same as the AP “standard”. The quality of the IB education you receive could vary widely from school to school (at least from what I’ve heard), mostly because the curriculum is subject to interpretation and a lot of things are marked holistically, so you will also receive holistic feedback. There are good and bad things about this… I’m sure you can figure them out. Extrapolate from there.</p>
<p>It definitely makes you a stronger writer.</p>
<p>I don’t think IB removed CAS…</p>
<p>Anyway, it helps, but will not get you accepted in and of itself - I do believe that many IB grads find their preparation useful when they actually get to college, though.</p>
<p>They didn’t remove it. You no longer have to document hours. (IE getting them signed and stuff.)</p>
<p>I did IB after being brainwashed by many at my high school that I would get into “any college I wanted” and that “colleges would come and find me to give me full rides”. Bull. Many straight A students in the IB program at my school who were very active in ECs at the national level and DESERVED to get in were rejected by many top schools…while the URMs got in with SATs 500 points lower. Anyways, the point is that is shows how that you took a rigorous courseload through high school, but don’t depend on it to automatically get you into a top college.</p>
<p>^ All the IBers at my school got into excellent/top schools. Hmmm… It really does seem subjective. </p>
<p>CAS hours are still in effect, but at my school, we no longer have to fill out the official forms; we’re supposed to keep a CAS “journal.”</p>
<p>^ Ya, the IB schools near ours always have great results too. I think it may also be because our school is newer and may not have built up a reputation for having a great IB program yet.</p>
<p>^ We’ve had our IB program for about 10 years so it’s been pretty successful. I don’t think anyone’s going to Ivies this year, but last year we had two go to Columbia, and like one or two to Princeton, and one to UPenn. And there’re several kids who get into Duke, UChicago, Carnegie Mellon, McGill, etc.</p>
<p>Admissions wise, it doesn’t seem like IB gives you much of an advantage but once you’re in, the gap is clear. IB pushes you alot harder than AP, being that it is a 2 year program and requires you to take certain subjects, write research papers etc. Even at an ivy, the most intelligent people I know were IB students in high school.</p>