<p>i agree that IB is much harder on the whole, except AP physics C
i come from a int’l school where we only offer IB:
i self-studied my way thru AP calc BC and got a 5; and i dont think i could cram 2 years worth of IB math HL and just walk in for a 7 out of 7.</p>
<p>@overachiever92 (how ironic, since it seems you highly disapprove of taking harder courses)</p>
<p>IB is harder but you learn more material. And last I checked, school is for learning (oh so cliche…)</p>
<p>
Because they like being better than college freshmen. That’s what’s up.</p>
<p>
AP students will do well - but in my experience a person taking 3 AP’s in high school is going to find the workload in college significantly different from IB students (who consistently say the opposite; college is “easier” than IB)</p>
<p>
… Ever hear of the French baccalaur</p>
<p>Uhhhh IB science program are lacking? I attend a full-fledged IB school with no AP’s offered except for AP Calc and our science bowl team won 1st at nationals and 2nd the next year. Two kids are already early acceptance into CIT and three into MIT, my brothers year, 6 were early accepted. I wouldn’t just flat-out state ALL IB school science program are lacking. Kids from AP-fledged schools envy our science program. But then again, it could just be the students love for science. It’s all about perspective.</p>
<p>The point of IB shouldn’t be just about the “crazy-hard classes”. IB students just come out of high school much more well-prepared than non-IB students. Both in critical thinking/knowledge on a global scale and a wide perspective. We’re basically generated from frosh year to learn that way. It’s not just about reading out of textbooks all day and taking difficult tests, but more so a wider-understanding/conceptual connections. In terms of workload, AP may be more. But in terms of brain-work, IB is more. IB IS international, so thinking in a wide-sense with through different perspectives is a must. I’m only a junior… And I’m already scared for EE’s T…T just starting on my 3,000 word IA :-/</p>
<p>Then again, you need to think that workload can be skewed through procrastination, or just based on the student. Procrastination is a personal choice by the student and can just make the workload SEEM a lot worse than it really is. So in comparing IB and AP, I find it ■■■■■■■■ that people compare by workload rather than the content being absorbed or styles of teaching. Haha. Sorry for my analytical rant. 
just had to add it in there :)</p>
<p>I am an IB senior right now in one of the most respected IB program in the US, and I have to say that Columbia is a long shot for most of us. During our ED round this past month we got pretty much all rejected all across the board except for two exceptions (UPenn and WashU). Unfortunately, I don’t think IB is valued by colleges as much as we hope it to be. Especially because, contrary to the statement above, IB is more difficult and time-consuming than even the hardest APs.
At least for me, Columbia is a huge reach. Some of my other friends, maybe less of a reach. Here’s hoping Columbia respects the IB program as much as they should.</p>
<p>Also, if AP is so notorious, why would the school I attend, a full-fledged IB school be number one in northern california?</p>
<p>OK… Let me make my point more CLEAR, since you guys just keep bringing up things that don’t even address what I’m trying to say about IB vs. AP. </p>
<p>A student who takes IB has an extremely comprehensive overview of information needed for college, while an AP student receives what I would call an education that barely pushes the boundaries of what is needed for college. </p>
<p>However, the IB student has MUCH LESS time than the AP student to address other things in life that he is passionate about such as a social life, sports, music, and other NON-ACADEMIC aspects of life.</p>
<p>In addition, the IB student and the AP student get into the same top-colleges without any preferential treatment for either group. They also perform at the same level because they both have what is necessary to get A’s in college. </p>
<p>They only difference is that that the IB student has been more (extraneously) academically fulfilled in his high school life, while the AP student has enjoyed a wider range of things in life, separate from collecting information in their brain on a “broader range”…</p>
<p>It’s a life choice, and I think that AP is the way to go if you want the best of both worlds (not just extra information that may or may not help you in college).</p>
<p>“However, the IB student has MUCH LESS time than the AP student to address other things in life that he is passionate about such as a social life, sports, music, and other NON-ACADEMIC aspects of life.”</p>
<p>This is not true at all. None of the IB students at my school have had to drop any extra curriculars or interests to make time for schoolwork. In fact, I’ve added a couple hobbies, and since so many different things count as CAS hours, we are pretty much required to do things we’re passionate about.</p>
<p>It seems to me like you want to do just enough to meet the bar, to get into a top-tier school with minimal effort and worry about the rest later (nice username). IB students want a leg up in college. Our mindset is different from yours, but that’s no reason to bash the entire program.</p>
<p>As an IB Diploma candidate who has also passed AP classes, I have to say IB is a bit of an overkill for most of my peers. We come into the program knowing that we will have to sacrifice more time for the core class requirements and internal assessment. Many walk out before their senior year. I enjoy being challenged to think in the TOK sense and gaining a more international perspective for the humanities, but I know IB does not grant as much college credit as AP.</p>
<p>A 4 or 5 on an AP test is considered as much credit as a 6 or 7 HL IB exam. However, to obtain the latter is rarer. Columbia and other high-ranking schools consider IB as an “equivalent” to the AP curriculum. I don’t know if they even recognize IB as a larger time commitment.</p>
<p>@ Littlepenguin (username based on appearance possibly?) </p>
<p>An overachiever is a person who logically understands how to get through life by maximizing their OVERALL experience, not just their academic one. I kind of misworded my previous message by saying “barely pushes the boundaries of what is needed for college”. I meant to say that an AP education puts you right where you need to be (right on the boundary) in terms of doing great in college. An AP experience still gives you a leg up in college, but it is more spread out (extracurriculars, social life, academics, etc…).</p>
<p>It’s simple;</p>
<p>AP values breadth while IB values depth.</p>
<p>Whatever you value more tells you what program is better for you.</p>
<p>(probably an oversimplification, but after reading this thread it was obvious everyone was getting bogged down in the details)</p>
<p>^I agree that there are a lot of anecdotal details to get bogged down by in this thread. Every high school is different. All elite colleges want you to excel in the most rigorous curriculum available to you, whether IB, AP, Honors or other, while also excelling in the other aspects of your life. Your choices should depend on your own high school environment. Each of you knows the most challenging curriculum available to you.</p>
<p>I understand what you are trying to say, overachiever. However, like littlepenguin already mentioned; IB doesn’t necessarily mean that you lose on social life but infact IB FORCES you to pursue activities you are passionate about, for CAS hours (150 hours!!!)</p>
<p>Besides, I think even in the hardest, most overloaded colleges, the only time when you spend sleepless nights is just before the exam or before a big project. Your social life isnt really going to be affected unless you are a chronic slacker or something.</p>
<p>But yeh IB is crazy. Freaking 150 page documentation in Computer Science I have to do sometime…</p>
<p>littlepenguin:
I’m an IB student in my senior year as well, and I can tell you depending on how well you do academically, you can secure whichever spot you want in University. I know someone who got a 36 IB subject total and is in Stanford. Plus I know others in Carnegie, MIT, Cambridge etc… Your academic resume is important, but you better be able to deliver some good CAS and write some good essays down. Don’t overestimate what the percentages are, 75% in IB will secure you a 6, which is practically an A or a 5 in AP. I personally do well in my science subjects that I enjoy, you know like Chem HL and Physics HL. Just develop a good work ethic if it’s not already there and continue working, and you’ll definitely make Columbia or even better if you seek so. Good Luck</p>
<p>lol Xenekaro, it sounds great being FORCED to do do something you are passionate (?) about, what an awesome program…</p>
<p>Well no. So far, everyone’s CAS hours come from commitments they already have. For CAS projects, people come up with ideas they’re genuinely excited about doing.</p>
<p>Quit bashing it.</p>
<p>EDIT: Think of IB as a rigorous curriculum with CAS ensuring that diploma candidates are still credited for their extra-curricular work and passions. IBO values that stuff, too.</p>
<p>Also, thanks Mohamed!</p>
<p>No probs. Just wanted to ask, how many CAS hours have you done so far, and what Subjects do you take?</p>
<p>I’m not sure how many CAS hours I have; I’m a bit behind in logging it all…
But I’m taking:
English HL
History HL
Physics SL
Math SL
German SL
Psychology HL</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>At my school, whether because of the CAS requirement or because the most motivated students are in IB, IB students are in charge of almost every club. We represent the captains of nearly every sport, the first chair and All-District/State musicians, the national debaters, the GSA presidents, the lit mag editors, etc. For the most part, I’ve gotten CAS hours from things I would be doing anyway. The only difference is that the service requirement encouraged me to make projects out of my extracurricular interests (ie, starting a French club at a local middle school) rather than just pursue them for myself. </p>
<p>I can certainly see the benefits to AP, especially as a “well-lopsided” student with a humanities bent. But my only goal is not getting into college; I want to be prepared for it as well. IMO, having taken several AP classes and exams, the idea that AP is college prep is a bit misleading. It encourages memorization rather than critical thinking and synthesis. For college-level research papers, a report isn’t good enough; you have to be able to take information from multiple sources and compile a compelling argument. Certainly, some high schools teach AP classes more rigorously, requiring such analysis. But it isn’t inherent to the AP curriculum; it is to IB.</p>