<p>I just joined CC and this is my very first post...</p>
<p>I am currently a junior and I am planning on pursing the IB Diploma offered at my high school. I am wondering if it is really worth it? I talked to my parents about it, and they think I should do PSEO instead, but it is still my decision. Does anyone have an idea of how much recognition is taken into account on an application if I were to receive the IB Diploma? My GPA has dropped due to family issues during freshmen year and I was told by my teacher and counselor that "nothing else" can be done. How much would the diploma help? </p>
<p>Ultimately, should I go for the IB Diploma or do PSEO?</p>
<p>D1 got into gr8 school with low admit rate…same GPA as a couple of friends, same ACT score, similar EC’s the only difference essay and IB diploma. The other 2 didn’t get admitted. Second, several state schools threw her immediate merit money based on the IB diploma…not the GPA or test score. Third, while her college is tough, she notices that her peers who didn’t have IB, are not used to the writing rigor that the college is demanding. Her h.s. experience makes this almost second nature to her. Finally…D2 is a h.s. senior this summer. Visited two well thought of publics with good honors programs. They told her that her IB dipoloma will elevate her status for admit to the honors program given similar grades as the next person. (she’s since been accepted at both honors programs, with relatively average ACT’s but high GPA). With all that said, IB is not for everyone. And one other caveat. D1 says that she had to really work hard in college freshman year with multiple choice tests. She had gotten rusty on taking them. AP candidates may initially excel in college with multi choice test based classes. However that challenge is quickly overcome. Oh, btw, many colleges give credit for coursework given good performance on the IB subject exams. So it’s not like you don’t have a chance for college credit.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about PSEO, but know those who have benefitted from it as well. </p>
<p>Good luck. But of my D’s loved IB, and believe that it elevated their college apps to their advantage.</p>