IB or STEM

At my school they’re offering the IBDP, and these courses consists of 7 mandatory classes. Currently my school has 8 period in a day, but next year, because of bucget cuts, my school will have only 7 periods. At the moment I am in a STEM program, which is a 4 year course. So my dilemma is, for next year I would have to choose between DP or STEM. I want to become an engineer when I grow up, but I feel like the DP program would distinguish me from other students when I begin to do my college apps. I don’t know and it kind of freaks me out. Help? Im a sophomore in highschool in california. Where almost all uc and csu are impacted.

In the IB program, which courses have HL options, versus having only SL available?

Note that IB is generally regarded as being lots of work, so it may train you in time management skills, but can also be seen as “extra work just to have extra work”, and may limit the time available for extracurricular activities.

But it really comes down to the following: make a schedule with classes for the IB program and the STEM program for the remainder of high school. Compare them to see which, if any, is better for your academic interests and preparation for college as an engineering major. In particular:

  • What level of math will you complete in either program? IB HL >= AP BC > AP AB > IB SL > precalculus/trigonometry (precalculus/trigonometry is the minimum preparation for engineering in college)
  • What sciences will you complete in either program? You want to be sure to have all three of biology, chemistry, and physics; having one or more of chemistry or physics at an advanced (AP or IB HL) level can be helpful.
  • Do not ignore completion of other a-g requirements, and study in humanities, social studies, and arts.

I’m a current IB diploma candidate, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

What does your school’s stem program entail? The IB diploma requires a lot of extra work compared to AP (EE, TOK, IA, etc.) and really limits the time you have outside of school for other things, and I’m not exactly sure how colleges view these extra things in relation to AP or similar programs. Maybe try and weigh the pros and cons of each program in regards to your desired field and see what engineering schools require and look for in applying students, and how much time you’ll have each week to pursue extracurriculars as well. Good luck!