<p>I'm currently a sophomore at my high school. I'm debating whether I should do IB, AP or Running Start? I don't plan on being a full IB/AP/Running Start student, just partial. Which is the best? And which one does University of Washington look at most?</p>
<p>I’ve done AP (Junior year) and Running Start (Senior year). My opinion the hands down winner (for many reasons) - Running Start.</p>
<p>I also want the full high school experience, like actually staying in high school for all four years and stay in college for all four years. I know all the benefits of Running Start, so new question:
What’s better for UW? IB or AP?</p>
<p>It doesn’t really matter. Just do well in them. If you have course choices, choose AP/IB that is related to what you want to study in the future. It helps to have that knowledge!</p>
<p>I went with the IB Diploma since it was my only option :(</p>
<p>Realistically, from my own experiences, I’ll recommend the IB Diploma Program only if your school has strong teachers and thorough curriculum. Part of your grades will actually depend on your teachers marking (the Internal Assessment) and having very good teachers will make it easier and those that take the marking seriously are helpful to you. As far as I know, the IBO rarely moderates IA scores up.</p>
<p>I don’t know about AP classes or how tough they are, but I might say that Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and CAS in itself is quite time consuming and demanding, perhaps to the same rigour as an additional 1-2 AP classes in their own right.</p>
<p>My bottom line is that if you can access excellent teachers for a full IBDP curriculum, go for it. If you can’t, then AP is probably better as your eventual grades are not dependent on each other. Having a 42 for your IBDP is much sexier than having a 36, but if you have a crappy Chemistry teacher, your total score suffers, which is a problem. In AP, this is less so.</p>
<p>I feel like ap is much more recognized and much more highly looked upon. i still dont really understand the whole IB thing. Like who’s really gonna take their credit nationally, but yeah idk id go AP, i feel like theres just more help and you’ll do better in it and more recognition nationwide.</p>
<p>^ I would disagree with this post a bit.</p>
<p>As an IB-er, I can say that IB is internationally recognized for its rigorous curriculum and most colleges (nation-wise) knows how demanding IB is. My school has both IB/AP classes and in my opinion, IB is hands-down the hardest. The program requires you to write an Extended Essay (4000 words), take a Theory of Knowledge (TOK) class, and also do something called CAS which is pretty much the IB’s version of community service.</p>
<p>I agree with Laxaria, if your school has excellent teachers in the IB curriculum and you feel like taking challenging classes then definitely go for it. HOWEVER, since in your post you said, “I don’t plan on becoming a full IB/AP/Running Start student”, then I don’t think there’s any reason for you to be taking IB classes because these classes are usually for people who are pursuing the IB diploma. So it would be useless for you if you only take a couple IB classes.
Do some research or talk to the IB coordinator at your school if you want to do IB.</p>
<p>Also, I don’t think UW favors any program over the other. It depends. This year at my school, most people who got into UW are in the IB program. However, I’ve read some news report about a guy who also did IB from another school but didn’t get into UW. So don’t think that you will get into UW just because you take all these challenging classes. UW looks at EVERYTHING so even if you take challenging classes, you never really know how UW will look at you as an applicant. You have two more years before you actually get to apply there!</p>
<p>(Whew that was a long post.)</p>
<p>For the University of Washington (and most OOS schools), it is generally better within the next couple of years to aim towards taking AP courses. When you look at UW’s test policy, there is a noticeable difference when an IB HL Math student needs to get a 7/7 (which only 11% get globally) to waive only Math 124 for 5 credits, while a AP Calc AB (which is equivalent to IB SL Math) student can get a 4/5, which translates to waiving both Math 124 and 125 (a much bigger deal). </p>
<p>Beyond credit-wise, it is important to look at elements beyond a college’s test policy. One thing that is great about pursuing the IB Diploma is that you get involved with many big papers you would expect to see in college. For example, the IB calculus series will require internal assessments, which are like 15-20 pages of solving an extended problem, which AP does not do ever. IB Diploma also encourages research through an extended essay on a certain topic, which is ripe for talking about in college essays especially with a science-related topic (of course you can still do this in your spare time in AP, but you will find “spare time” doesnt really exist…)</p>
<p>Overall, I would recommend purusing AP courses just because you will receive more college credit, but look into the possibilities associated with IB as well. Best of luck.</p>
<p><a href=“of%20course%20you%20can%20still%20do%20this%20in%20your%20spare%20time%20in%20AP,%20but%20you%20will%20find%20%22spare%20time%22%20doesnt%20really%20exist…”>quote</a>
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<p>As an IB student, spare time in IB is used for doing less important homework :)</p>
<p>Hmph I can’t edit my post.</p>
<p>I wanted to add that you can indeed take IB classes individually and earn IB Certificates for them in recognition of your efforts. Taking such certificates do not require fulfilling CAS, ToK or EE, so in an essence they are like AP classes in their own right. Regardless, you still need to fulfil all the requirements as if taking the subject as part of the IBDP.</p>
<p>I guess, in summary, unless you want to do the full diploma, doing AP classes are very useful. If you want a thoroughly rounded education while possessing access to well trained and well qualified teachers, doing the full IB Diploma is a consideration that I suggest putting some weight on. The IB itself isn’t as recognised domestically compared to internationally, but ultimately, it is not what you earn at the end but what you learn in the process.</p>
<p>I agree with the IB certificate part of your post (I forgot to mention this in my mine) but I would disagree with you on IB not being domestically recognized as compared to internationally. Most American colleges do know about the IB program and as I have said in my other post, colleges know the high demands of IB and are usually impressed with students who consider doing the IB program.
But AP classes are also weighed similarly to IB. The OP should consider researching his colleges to figure out if IB/AP credits are given at the schools he will eventually apply to.
Ultimately it’s the OP’s choice as to which classes he wants to take. Though, I caution him to seriously talk to an AP/IB coordinator before pursuing any of these courses.</p>
<p>I’ve had less than stellar experiences when it comes to observing what happened to my friends with IB Diplomas. Universities are very picky 
Your mileage varies with university to university, regardless. </p>
<p>I do agree with Mikasha regardless. Speak to a AP/IB co-ordinator before deciding. The best we can offer is personal experience, which, while applicable to us, may not be as applicable to you. Don’t take what we say as gold and throw a pinch of salt on it :)</p>
<p>Whatever you choose, good luck and all the best! :)</p>
<p>There isnt a precise answer to your question Im doing IB after the summer, and I had to do a lot of research into the matter I didnt want to make the wrong decision in relation to what course to take. </p>
<p>IB is extensive; it generally gives you a taste of everything in equal measure, including ECs and community service. Its the ideal course for most universities, even though it isnt as popular in the US as it is in Europe because its relatively new in comparison to other courses. </p>
<p>A levels on the other hand are supple, so to say; they give you enough allowance to see exactly what kind of student you are, then from there its <em>dive in</em> head first. The decision is yours, and the classes you take are wholly and utterly up to you. You delve into them as soon as theyve been chosen, and you get a strong foundation for university if youre planning to pursue those subjects.</p>
<p>It isn’t really the kind of decision that can be made using advantages and disadvantages. It’s a more personal matter, if anything. You have to do some kind of self-evaluation and figure out what system will do you better :p</p>