<p>I currently have a dilemma and I need advice. I am currently in the IB program and have straight A's. The problem is that it has caused a great amount of stress in my life. The IB program has been difficult for me due to the fact that I have to travel 2 hours to get to school and I have to work in order to help my family economically. I understand all of the material but the only problem is that I do not have time to study and do all of the work. My school offers both IB and AP but AP is considered a step down from IB and I'm worried that my counselor will mark that I did not take the most rigorous course when it comes to the rigor of my curriculum. Even if my counselor marks that I didn't take the most rigorous curriculum, would you recommend IB or AP? What I'm concerned about is whether the IB program would give me an advantage in the college admission process for ivy league schools like Harvard over students taking AP. I have asked students at my school that have dropped from IB and are currently taking AP classes about the rigor of the classes and they have all said that it is easier than IB. Thank you for the help.</p>
<p>i am in the IB diploma, and i have also taken AP classes.
I would say that the AP (when you select the right classes), is not necessarily easier than the IB. The IB, however, is probably more stressful, and it’s just a different way of learning.
A rigorous AP schedule is in no way a step down from the IB. so…switching to the AP might not necessarily relieve your workload…however, if you believe that it would, then go ahead and switch: you won’t need to worry about being marked for a less rigorous courseload.</p>
<p>AP has less baggage associated with it, but I don’t think that colleges consider it more rigorous. In fact, it’s more common/popular in the United States so it won’t hurt you at all, especially if you don’t really have a choice about switching. I would go for the AP if it will make your life easier, since it’s still an advanced study of program despite having less baggage than IB.</p>