<p>So basically i'm wondering whether or not to go for the IB diploma or to take AP courses. My school offers both. </p>
<p>Reasons i want AP:
1) Don't have to take IB Spanish. This is a course where only one or two students ever get an A, and where the grading scale is A, B, C, D without pluses or minuses. Spanish has always been my worst subject no matter how i try.
2) Don't have to worry about IB issues like Extended Essay.
3) More freedom in picking classes
4) Higher Grades</p>
<p>Reasons i want IB:
1) More prestigious
2) Personal Achievement
3) Feel like it would be regarded better by colleges.</p>
<p>So basically i'm wondering if it's worth getting a lower GPA in order to take IB?</p>
<p>SIDE Question: How do colleges know whether you are a full IB student at the time of your application? Since my school has the same courses for IB and AP, i feel like they wouldn't know whether you'd be IB or not.</p>
<p>It is not always true that colleges regard IB better than AP. Im sure some do, but some regard AP higher as it is created by the colleges that you will be applying to, so they know you will be well prepared for their courses.</p>
<p>My opinion is that if you know you will do better in AP, take AP. As long as you take multiple ones and still have a rigorous course colleges will look upon that favorably.</p>
<p>If your school offers the IB, and you’re planning to apply to very selective colleges, then take the IB. The IB is a proven, holistic, rigorous program. You’re fortunate to have this option. If you have doubts about this recommendation contact the admissions department at one or two of the colleges that you’re likely to consider and ask.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that selective colleges would like to see you focus on core courses, and foreign language is one of those core courses. They like to see you take 4 years of one foreign language. It’s hard to imagine why Spanish 4 (4th year), possibly AP Spanish, would be any easier than IB Spanish.</p>
<p>The IB diploma students I have met, have indeed completed an extremely rigorous program, but they also have barely slept a wink for the last two years of high school. Student taking a large number of AP courses don’t sleep much either, but since the AP system offers greater flexibility, it is easier for student to adapt their coursework to their individual goals.</p>
<p>And yes, all reports indicate that IB HL Spanish is tougher than AP Spanish Lit. If you aren’t interested in pursuing that language to that level, following a non-IB program will give you better options.</p>
<p>I’m in IB so my opinion will probably be biased but I say go for IB! Yes there are all the horror stories of sometimes only getting 3-4 hours of sleep a night and teachers somehow planning it so you have like 4 essays and 3 projects all due the same day and the added stress of CAS and the EE but honestly I think it’s worth it. IB really kicks your butt into shape in terms of preparing you for college because you learn how to balance everything and use your time well.</p>
<p>Also everyone knows of the rigor of the IB program (if you do the full diploma). You’re guaranteed to have your guidance counselor check off most rigorous schedule if you do IB.</p>
<p>If you’re a well rounded student in terms of academics meaning you succeed in all subjects then go for IB! As for spanish, what spanish is it? Would you be taking A2 or B or AB initio? I took Spanish B SL (only one my school offers) and I found it pretty easy (got a 7). If the Spanish is a HL or A2 class then ya I can see where your worries come from. That’s more of a literary analysis class than a learning the language class.</p>