<p>Hi, I've come across many references to IB program in CC. I know what it stands for, and I went on Wikipedia. But I am still very confused about what it is. My HS only offers AP classes, I fact, I have never heard of IB until now.
What is it? Is it usually in Northern/Southern/Western/Eastern parts of U.S.? Is it a full year course taken at a HS or college? Is it harder than a AP? What are all these "full IB" or "two extra certificates"? Is 10 AP classes better or worse than 10 IBs?
Thanks.</p>
<p>Death. IB is death. IB murders souls and kills immune systems.</p>
<p>It's also known as the International Baccalaureate program. It's international (obviously) and some say it's equivalent to AP (I call them liars). It was originally created for military students to be able to take classes around the world easily if they moved. It turned into this insanely difficult college prep program.</p>
<p>Full IB means you want the diploma. That requires 6 IB classes, the class TOK, an extended essay, and 150 hours of service. It's really exhausting and stressful. Some people only take a few IB classes and go for certificates so they don't have to do the essay or TOK or the service.</p>
<p>It's hard to say what is better. But full IB comes with all the extra goodies that make your app a bit more shiney, plus you know the kid is killing themselves taking 6 IB classes senior year.</p>
<p>The full IB diploma is much much more impressive than taking a bunch of APs, mostly because you are required to take your mother tongue language, a 2nd language, a science, a math, a social science, and an art/an elective. it was designed to produce well rounded students. even though only higher level IB's count for college credit, the standards are lower. e.g. for a college chemistry credit, a 5 on the AP would be required but a 5,6, or 7 (80%-100%) on IB HL chemistry would be sufficient</p>
<p>thankssss.</p>
<p>But would anyone be at an disadvantage for not taking IB classes? (For Ivies, you are pretty much betting for lottery chances if you've never taken any APs if they are offered at your school)</p>
<p>not if they aren't offered.</p>
<p>I'm doing full IB. And with my one extra period a day, am I taking an elective like everyone else? Nope... I'm taking AP Calc... and last year it was AP Language and Comp... and the year before that it was AP Gov...</p>
<p>Moral of the story = IB is crazy, but I'm crazier.</p>