<p>I am taking AP classes. It's incredibly difficult! I have no clue about all the IB and HL. Well, I think programs are created for soem reason.
If AP is already good, then why did IB & HL exist? There must be a reasonf or that. I believe so.</p>
<p>Maybe it's because IB is an <em>international</em> program??? The last time I checked, AP exams weren't offered in over 70 languages. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>To answer the question from the title of the thread, neither would make the admissions officer fall in love with you, if that's what you're asking...</p>
<p>DOesn't really matter..</p>
<p>it's going to be college credits anyways... if you pass the exam</p>
<p>If you are concerned with which box the counselor checks on your application and really want that "most demanding" courseload then find out how your school defines that. Our school defines it as IB diploma or min of 7 AP classes over the 4 years of HS. That's what the admissions people will look at to tell them whether you took the most challenging classes at your school.<br>
Where IB gives you an advantage is if you want to go to school in another country where AP doesn't mean much.<br>
AP gives you flexibility to take more history or english and less math or science if you want to and still be in that "most demanding" category - it was good for my daughter who loves social studies and english.
I think you would "win hearts" with your essays more than your class choices.</p>
<p>Well, It all depend on your decision of taking classes. After I took AP exam, I felt as if I wanted to sleep for 24 hours straight. And yeah, thumb up for those students who recieve 5 for AP exam. They work really hard for that. And ShanghaiMom is right. You would with the admission officers' hearts with the essay more than that GPA. My friend who has low GPA [3.4] got accepted in UCB because she wrote a good essay.</p>
<p>AP is more breadth, while IB gives more depth. So it depends which you like. I like IB:)</p>
<p>To win the "heart" of the admissions officer, go with IB diploma or a full set of AP courses.</p>
<p>for whoever didn't know why IB existed....it was because it was first created for students who were part of families that moved a lot (like international politicians, diplomats, etc.) so that they'd have a uniform curriculum wherever you are. The great thing about it is that IB History of the Americas is taught the same way in New York as it is in London.</p>
<p>My school just started offering IB this year, and I probably would have taken it if it weren't for these reasons:
1) Since it was new, the teachers weren't experienced, and they only offered the bare minimum of classes--only what was necessary to complete the diploma. So since history is necessary, they offered History of the Americas, but no other history options, so you were forced to take that.
2) Also, some classes, like IB Physics, were combined with AP Classes, so you probably wouldn't get the best preparation
3) I had already took an AP freshman year and am taking an AP this year, so I kind of wanted to just continue on the same path
4) I am taking APUSH this year (sophomore) and the only history course offered by my school is IB History of the Americas, and I don't want to just repeat most of the same/similar material. </p>
<p>Both are great programs. AP offers more flexibility, IB is fantastic for a well rounded student. Rigor completely depends on the teachers/school.
If you are interested in applying to a foreign school, take IB.
If not, I believe that it is easier to get credit for APs in the U.S. right now. For example, a school might offer credit for a 5 on an AP test or a 7 on an IB test, but getting a 5 on an AP test is generally thought of to be easier than getting a 7 on an IB test.</p>
<p>I have similar problem with you about the school. My high school i a new high school too. Thus some teachers aren't really good (MY AP physic.) Like in my physic class, the only way that I can learn is teaching myself. And I know it by my common sense that it's not enough for AP test. Anyone has any suggestion about online Physic B class?</p>
<p>People, the IB is SOOOO not worth it.</p>
<p>Check out <a href="http://www.responsible-ed.org/FAQ's.htm">http://www.responsible-ed.org/FAQ's.htm</a></p>
<p>Here are a few factors:
-IB takes up a LOT of time.
-AP classes allow much more freedom.
-IB SL class don't count for college credit. Are they saying that AP = IB HL and that IB SL is not as 'rigorous?' I strongly disagree.
-Depending on your teachers, you will have brainwashed ones who believe in the IB system and believe that it really "teaches" student to take initiative or be self-directed learners. Right...*sense the sarcasm?
-The IB is a two year course. In actuality, you could take a month to study for the exams, because the questions given are VERY broad.
-CAS, TOK, EE aren't very beneficial. You do CAS anyways. TOK is a half credit philosophy course. EE is a long essay (note: do not pick something that "interests you;" pick a topic you can write a lot on).
-IB exam answers can sometimes be very subjective.</p>
<p>The way I see it is IB = 12 APs, because it's 6 classes for 2 years. Much less (college) credit is given, and you have to do time-consuming (for lack of a better word) tasks.</p>
<p>Which would win the "heart of the admissions officers?" I'd say AP.</p>
<p>While it's true many colleges don't give credit for Standard Level IB test results, many IB students just take the corresponding AP tests for credit.</p>
<p>Both IB and AP have many advantages, and which one is better for you depends on the specific programs offered in your school.</p>
<p>
[quote]
-IB takes up a LOT of time.
[/quote]
Yes, it does. Why? Because it is a challenging program. Cramming before a test doesn't work; you need to understand why things are the way they are, which requires you to think. And yes, all the tedious forms and stuff take a lot of time too. I don't like that part of the IB, but I am glad that it has forced me to learn how to manage my time better.</p>
<p>
[quote]
-Depending on your teachers, you will have brainwashed ones who believe in the IB system and believe that it really "teaches" student to take initiative or be self-directed learners. Right...*sense the sarcasm?
[/quote]
The alternative is that if teachers try to brainwash you you'll realize exactly what they're doing because you've learned how to think critically and question everything and not take what a teacher says for granted. Of course bad teachers can make the IB bad, but a good teacher truly does teach you to take initiative and responsibility for your studies. </p>
<p>
[quote]
-The IB is a two year course. In actuality, you could take a month to study for the exams, because the questions given are VERY broad.
[/quote]
Lol. Do that and your results will be terrible! I agree that the questions are broad-- that is precisely what makes them so difficult to answer well. Don't you agree that a specific question, such as "how does the biological perspective explain agressive behavior?" is WAY easier to answer than "How effective is the biological perspective in explaining agressive behavior?" (this is an actual question from an old psych higher level exam). </p>
<p>
[quote]
-CAS, TOK, EE aren't very beneficial. You do CAS anyways. TOK is a half credit philosophy course. EE is a long essay (note: do not pick something that "interests you;" pick a topic you can write a lot on).
[/quote]
Depends on the school and teacher, I guess. In my school, all three are extremely beneficial. CAS forces everyone to be involved in lots of activities, from different areas- no one can just do theater, or only sports. With the right teacher, ToK is fascinating. You're wrong in that its a philosophy course- I take philosophy, and it is very different. ToK is part of philosophy, sure, but different. It focuses on knowledge. Thanks to ToK, I have learned to question what I learn, to identify weak, false or invalid arguments, and to construct solid arguments of my own. What I've learned in ToK has been useful in every single other subject I study. And the EE... well, I don't know anyone in my class who has not learned a tremendous amount from their EEs. (and I would give the opposite advice from you- pick something that interests you as long as it is narrow enough so that you won't write too much! I had to cut out 2000 words from my essay, and most people I know have had the same problem)</p>
<p>
[quote]
-IB exam answers can sometimes be very subjective.
[/quote]
Yeah, which, again, is what makes them so hard. You are supposed to take a stance on an issue and then back it up with good arguments; the exams are not meant to be objective. As for the examiners, it does happen that they mark something strangely. That is why you can have things re-marked if you or your teachers think you got a grade you didn't deserve. Also, if your final grades differ by more than a few points from the predicted grades sent in to the IBO after the mock exams, then your papers are automatically checked by another examiner. </p>
<p>The IB is a fantastic program!</p>
<p>not all IB HL are hard, but some is really hard. I usually see people with calc BC 5 but rarely a guy with IB math HL 7. I am a IMOer and only get 6 in math HL... it is hard, but however, with some 6 in IB just dont look so good as a bunch of 5 's in AP.
do AP, unless you trust you can really get that 7.</p>
<p>If you want to win the admission officer's heart do IB.</p>
<p>PERIOD.</p>
<p>Let me clarify with this empirical data:</p>
<p>It might be that IB students are generally more intelligent than AP students but I doubt it. I think it'll give you a much better chance at acceptance at top unis.</p>
<p>IB 7>>>AP 5
IB (low) 6=AP 5
IB 4=AP4</p>
<p>Trust me thats how it really is. I did 6 APs in 11th grade and only knew like 60% of the material (i'm in the IB program which is 2 years long) and i managed 4s on APs with some very horrible mistakes. On my chem exam I would have had a 3/4 in IB with a similar performance but i got a 4 in AP (which is college credit in the US). If you want the easy way do AP. If you want to challenge yourself and set yourself apart for that small edge in applications do IB.</p>
<p>BTW I do 7 subjects and 4 Highs (+FL maths). So i guess i get to join the elite fl club. Actually less than 20 people got 7 in the exam last may (only offered in may) so consider yourself pretty damn good if you get a 7. If you know the stuff a 7 is easy to get actually. FL maths is the hardest exam in the world but the most lenient curve of all the IB exams (i think its 65% for 7).</p>
<p>I would take AP if given the option. I don't think this is biased, I'm just going to state the facts. If you're applying to colleges in the US all of them know about AP while not all know of IB. Furthermore, AP is a guaranteed winner in the admissions officer's hearts at all colleges-AP is a trademark and everyone knows it means rigorous. With IB, whether or not it's more rigorous is up to debate, not all admissions officers fully recognize it-a Georgetown admissions officer said that he was mistrust ful of IB and would prefer to see AP. In addition, as said prior AP's offer more freedoms and prepare you for SAT II's-which win admissions officers hearts. Ultimately, go AP if you're looking at American colleges.</p>
<p>I totally agree.</p>
<p>I would only take IB if you're going to an international school other than an American college. Take AP if you're going to an American college.</p>
<p>I actually like the point raised in the FAQs page linked by FellowCCViewer, under "What is different about IB?":</p>
<p>
[quote]
IB is a program of study which embraces an inquiry based method of teaching and a curriculum which seeks to make connections between disciplines. ACLU's Vic Walczak claims that "IB teaches students to think about problems for themselves and research their own conclusions. It gives a different angle, from a global and a multicultural perspective." Why does he think that only IB does this? IB did not invent perspective, problem solving, and critical thinking. These are standard tools in every excellent classroom.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>In my opinion, the only difference is that IB "forces" students to think more than AP does. An AP student can get just as much or more out of their studies as any IB student.</p>
<p>Plus, it'd probably be close to impossible to self-study an IB diploma -- but at least I can do my APs independent study (since my school only offers three).</p>
<p>On a general note, I think a lot of people on CC need to look more at what they want rather than what they think colleges want...</p>