IB versus AP

Hello, I am currently a sophomore in high school who is heavily considering the IB program. I’ve heard from multiple sources that IB isn’t suited for the American system of education, and that it would be best to take AP classes instead. I’ve also heard the opposite, that Ivy League universities prefer IB over AP, as it demonstrates preparation for a bigger courseload.

So, is either one of these correct? Which program would be most beneficial in terms of being accepted into a college? If they are on equal footing, which program would be best for someone wanting to go into a pre-med field of study?

Thanks so much for your time.

You will hear both sides argued here on College Confidential. My younger son received the full IB diploma, while taking several additional AP classes (World Geography, US History, Statistics, and his Sophomore English). There are good reasons to pursue the full IB diploma, but it is not right for everyone. Colleges want to know that you’ve taken the “Most Demanding Available” courseload, and so they will (at least implicitly) expect some explanation for why you did not pursue the IB diploma. There are very valid reasons, especially if you want to take extra high-level Math and Science classes, pick up an additional foreign language, et al, but your transcript should demonstrate that you are willing and able to handle a rigorous curriculum.

I personally think IB is a better curriculum and its exams are less “crammable.” But both are well respected and worth your time. One great thing about IB, though, is the Extended Essay, which more closely resembles college-level work than anything AP humanities and social sciences offer or evaluate.

People will tell you there is no difference between IB and AP, but I’ve gathered from other posters that IB is much more rigorous and difficult than AP. A majority of American students do AP. A minority of American students and many international students do IB. It’s just a matter of personal preference; it won’t make a difference in admissions what you do. (In other words, you won’t get rejected because you did AP over IB…or vice versa)

Honestly, for pre-med, if you’re really serious about it and you want to study that higher level math and science, go with IB.

I’m having the same problem! I know for sure that I am taking AP Calc BC next year (even if I do take IB because I’m taking Math HL senior year if I do IB) and self-studying ap psych and ap statistics. However, in my school schedule I cannot decide if I want to do IB or AP. I want IB because the teachers work together and make sure you have no more than two tests in one day and it will really improve my writing. I also like that IB has 7 college courses. However, I want to do AP because you have so many options to choose from (if I do AP, than I will do 5 APs). Any advice will be helpful. Thanks!

I’ve heard that doing AP would be better though if I wanted to go into a STEM or pre-med field, since I have more freedom for classes. Is that wrong?

If you do the IB diploma, it is a very structured curriculum, with relatively limited choice. You can choose 3-4 subjects to do HL (higher level) in, with the other 2-3 to do SL (standard level) in, though not all high schools offer all subjects in HL. If you are super-advanced in math, the IB math progression may limit your progress (while non-IB students who finish calculus in high school before senior year may have the option of taking more advanced math at a local college).

From what has been written on these forums, IB courses are a lot more work than regular or AP courses, but IB HL scores do not really get higher advanced placement than AP scores in the same general subjects. Note, however, that many AP courses are slower paced than the college courses that they try to cover the material of – they may take a year to cover what a college course covers in a semester.

If anyone else has an opinion on this matter, I’d love to hear it.

Both can demonstrate course rigor, but AP is more flexible. For STEM, many AP courses may give useful credits and advanced placement.