<p>I have seen discussions here about whether to choose the IB diploma route vs just taking some IB courses, but my question is, what if you take the IB diploma route, do all the IB diploma requirements, but then don't pass one of the tests, or for some other technical reason, just don't actually get the diploma? From what I have seen, the IB tests come after college acceptances. Do they typically come with the requirement that you do, in fact pass those tests after acceptance, or for most colleges will that not matter?<br>
My D is in the IB diploma program, and I don't have any real reason to think she won't pass the tests, but I can see that it is starting to be a source of stress for her and her friends. I'd like to be able to tell her, with some confidence, that it won't really matter in the long run if she actually gets it or not.<br>
I know she will put pressure on herself anyway, but I don't want her to think she 'has' to get that IB diploma in order to get college acceptances if she doesn't.</p>
<p>I am not going to get the IB diploma, but my classes include 3 IB SLs, 3 IB HLs, and TOK. I also did CAS. I am not sure how much it affected my admissions, but here are my stats.</p>
<p>UWGPA: 3.7
WGPA: 4.3
UCGPA: 4.0
SAT: 2300
Rejected: UCB, UCLA, UCSD, Cal Poly SLO
Waitlisted: UCD, UCI</p>
<p>Our experience with IB kids and admissions is that, with admissions and enrollment completed before senior year exams are even taken, there is no connection between getting the diploma in July after senior year and continued enrollment. As long as the student’s final course grades are fine, whether or not they accumulate enough points to get the diploma is irrelevant. We know a number of students who were on track for diploma and then, by spring of senior year, had other substantial commitments and chose not to complete extended essay etc. No diploma eligibility, and no impact on admission decision already in hand. </p>
<p>For international kids coming from diploma programs with predicted scores etc., there could be a different approach, I just don’t know. </p>
<p>I would assure your kids that, do their best, but if they fall short of getting the diploma itself in the end, that is okay. </p>