IB Diploma ESS seen as "lightweight" by US colleges?

Pre-College Issues International Baccalaureate (IB)
1

Hey College Confidential,

Title explains everything! I want to hear the thoughts of this community on it. How will ESS affect admission to a US college, specifically top-ranked ones for social science, in the context of a certain student? This student won an international award in a geography competition, self-studied a few APs in social science (and got all 5s on them, one was taken in 8th grade), won the social studies departmental exemplary student award, did an internship at an international chamber of commerce, helped start a social studies club, and is pretty synonymous with social science at their school despite only being a sophomore. They are taking ESS as their Group 4 Science subject in IB. They will take Geography and Global politics as their two HLs in Group 3, and English A as their third HL.

Thank you in anticipation of your responses.

2

No impact. It’s a fine SL to take for students in Social Science and Humanities - it’s more important to do very well in your chosen subjects with a high total score AND choosing rigorous HLs with regards to your chosen major field.

3

I agree with @MYOS1634

Theres no ESS HL or SL… just 1 level… theres no shame in taking ESS… as it has is own merits and difficulties…

4

again… applying to which school matters…due to the course credits… or no. of HL/SL req’s and so on…