<p>i dont know if this is the right forum for this question but im a high school senior and I consistently see people saying they have an IB diploma or are taking IB classes on this site. What is IB and what are the differences between IB and AP. Which one is better? Obviously colleges dont have a preference but what would be better to take, if you had the choice? IB diploma sounds so good. Is it?</p>
<p>I honestly don't know that much about the IB program, but I know that all of my friends at Rice who took IB classes complain that the credit they received for these classes is essentially worthless. I don't know if that's how it works at other universities, but it seems to be the case here.</p>
<p>It's a bit complicated to explain, so I'll refer you to wikipedia.
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IB_Diploma_Programme%5B/url%5D">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IB_Diploma_Programme</a></p>
<p>Neither is "better," although IB is generally considered more rigorous. AP gives more flexibility; IB goes more in depth. Think of AP as a set of classes and IB as a program. </p>
<p>IB prepared me exceptionally well for college, and I'm definitely glad I did it. I would've been bored in AP.</p>
<p>AP usually teaches towards a test. I cannot comment on IB though.</p>
<p>I'm an IB diploma student, and I've taken a lot of AP classes.</p>
<p>My super-short summary that is true in most cases:</p>
<p>AP teaches breadth, IB teaches depth.</p>
<p>AP tests usually try to pick out what you don't know, IB tests try to let you expound on what you do know.</p>
<p>Will it benefit me???</p>
<p>I skip Fresh year Coollleg!!!!</p>
<p>In terms of college credit and such, AP is definitely more widely accepted in US colleges, both in terms of what schools are aware of (schools that are not at the top level may not even have heard of IB), and the credit they give (7 on HL is the only thing worth credit at some schools, which is utterly ridiculous, considering even like a 5 on SL probably shows greater knowledge than a 4 on AP, depending on the test...but anyway). Of course, if you are thinking of non-US schools, IB is much more likely to be recognized, but this likely isn't the case.</p>
<p>However, in terms of learning for the sake of learning, and preparation for college, I would definitely say IB is better. As has been mentioned, it is a diploma program, as opposed to a series of exams. In order to get the IB diploma, you have to take a class in each of six subject areas (well, really five...but you still can't avoid math if you hate math, etc.), as well as do an entended essay, community service, etc. There is a test at the end of the year, but other factors (orals in languages, labs in sciences, etc.) also contribute to your grade. There's also a much greater focus on writing, which I think it useful in terms of college preparation.</p>
<p>In short, I think a lot of it depends what you're looking for. At my school, while we go for the IB diploma, we also take AP tests when they correspond with the subjects we're taking, something that helps in terms of college recognition, I would see if the IB school you're thinking of does the same.</p>