IB Grades and College Admissions

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello all,
I'm currently a junior taking her first year of the IB Diploma Program. I had heard horror stories from this year's seniors about the pains and aches of IB, but I thought I could handle it and thus decided to go for it.</p>

<p>Now, it's not that I'm not handling it, but my grades and GPA are so bad. I still maintain Bs (86-91, mostly high so around 88-91) in the majority of my classes with a few classes in a mid-high A (95-100), but my GPA has fallen so badly. I started out in freshman and sophomore year with all Honors and AP classes and managed a weighted GPA of 104+ (our classes were weighed 1.1 for Honors and 1.125 for AP) and I had an unweighted GPA of around 95-96 (my school does not do the 4.0 scale, but I think converted my unweighted GPA was around a 3.8-3.9). Now, my marking period GPA hovers around a 102 (my average GPA is still 104 due to the past two years) and instead of all As and one B (math is my weakest subject) in all weighted courses, I am pulling through with mostly Bs, a couple of As and one C (why I decided to take Math HL was beyond me). I think my 4.0 scale unweighted GPA dropped to a 3.6-7. I am so terrified that I will not be able to get into top tier schools with my IB grades, particularly after doing a lot of research where the majority of the opinions leaned towards IB hurting your chances if you did not get top-notch scores. UPenn was originally my dream school, but I've kinda given up on it since I'm convinced I have no chance and now I'm looking at schools like New York University, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Georgetown, etc. Good schools but not at the Ivy level, which was my original goal. </p>

<p>I am heavily involved with competitive swimming (practicing 3 hours a day, 6 days a week), where I attend a few national meets every year and for many schools I am looking at I have a good chance of being recruited (stated directly by the coach). I keep up with my piano activities by performing in a recital every year with a well-known musical organization in my area. I volunteer at swim meets and the local animal shelter. I participate on my school's newspaper staff. I've received awards and honors for creative works submitted in the Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards every year I've participated. I was selected for a local leadership program and participated in meetings for young leaders once every month until last month, where I finished the program. I've taken the SATs once so far (my results weren't the greatest: 650 CR, 670 math, 680 writing) but I was unprepared for the one time I took it and am confident that next time I will do better (I was recovering from an all nighter and wasn't in top shape, totally my fault). My ACTs were slightly better with a composite score of 31 (I forget the individual categories' scores). Looking at all that is listed above, I think my extracurriculars and non-school profile is ok, but I do not think they will be able to make up for my sinking grades. I'm aware that colleges look for steady improvement, but seeing how my GPA is dropping, I don't think it will be a good sign, not to mention that my Math HL grades are by far my lowest grades. Like I said, why I took Math HL considering math is my worst subject is beyond me.</p>

<p>I don't think I have any chance for UPenn anymore, but will my IB grades really have a bad effect on my college admission chances? Tbh I didn't even think they were that bad considering it's IB, but I don't know anymore. I just want to get into a really good college, regardless if it's Ivy or not. </p>

2

<p>Have you spoken with your guidance counselor about this? If I were you I’d make an appointment ASAP and talk to them. Leave yourself plenty of time for considering your options before you have to choose next years classes.</p>

<p>I’m not sure how to advise you except to point out what you probably already know: IB courses are typically 2-year courses, and it you’re 3/4 through the first year and are considering dropping IB, you may have a tough time getting a good, rigorous schedule senior year (presumably AP.) My daughter had some health issues junior year and had to drop out of half her IB classes (and drop her full-diploma candidate status) and she had a tough time getting a decent senior schedule due to the limited courses available and the prerequisites needed that she didn’t have since she’d been on the IB “path” since Freshman year. There were no high-level English courses she could take, for instance.</p>

<p>In addition, I’d think it might look worse to take IB for one year and then switch to AP/honors senior year. Colleges know IB is 2-years. They’ll wonder why you didn’t persevere and sit the final IB exams, etc.</p>

<p>Your grades are good for IB (esp if you’re taking HL classes) but I understand what you are saying about shooting for extremely selective schools. When my daughter was struggling in IB classes, she was initially resistant to getting any outside help. She felt that she “should” be able to do it all by herself. She has since changed her tune, and now makes use of tutors and after-school meetings with teachers and math lab and Khan Academy online among other resources. I think it helped that, when we were touring highly selective colleges last year, she heard students saying over and over again how NOBODY gets through a year without needing a tutor or extra help in some classes, and they couldn’t expect to manage A’s in that school without it. Asking for help is not weakness.</p>

<p>If you’re not already reaching out in that way, perhaps you could consider it. For math, Khan Academy can be great. Would your parents consider hiring a tutor? Can you prevail upon your teachers for a few after-school sessions to help clarify anything you’re shaky on? I know it’s hard to find the extra time in your already busy schedule, but if you feel like IB is a good fit for you and you just want to bump your grades up a bit, that might be the answer.</p>

<p>Good luck, try not to worry about it so much! Your grades are good and your classes are tough. I’m sure you will get into the right school for you!</p>