<p>I am a graduate of an IB school. Rank: 1/430</p>
<p>I didn't like IB. Sure, it was the hardest thing offered, but I don't think it teaches you nearly as much as AP. IB forces you to become well-rounded in different subjects and it helps you acquire different skillsets, but you can do the same with AP if you are so determined. A lot of the higher-up schools don't give a rip about IB and offer very little benefits. AP seems to open up many more doors for you. </p>
<p>If anything, IB teaches you how to manage time more efficiently and I think it is more intensive than AP. With AP you simply take a test. IB, you must take tests, take certain classes, write essays, do oral assessments, internal assessments, etc. The tests are also harder than the AP equivalents, in my opinion. Much easier to get an AP5 than an IB7. </p>
<p>You can still have a social life. CAS kinda forces you to get involved in extracurricular activities, but again, there's so much that it forces you to allocate your time better. I procrastinated like no other and probably blew off a lot more homework than I should have but this is only because my father died early senior year and I didn't feel that school was nearly as significant. However, I've found that work is a lot more manageable in college because IB made things seem so much worse in comparison, haha. I have a lot more free time in college than I used to in high school because I feel like IB gets you used to hell and stress. </p>
<p>Senior year was a lot of fun and I hung out with friends often and it did not get in the way of anything. If IB is offered, go for it. But if you can afford it, take AP tests in addition to IB. You will probably regret it once you realize how little IB tests offer you in terms of college credit.</p>
<p>Putting aside the issue of college credit (which most top schools are stingy with, anyway), do you feel that IB prepared you better for your college courseload? That is what is told to us as the big benefit to IB.</p>
<p>Legend-
I am so sorry about your dad. That can really bring things into sharp perspective, especially priorities.
Thank you for sharing your experience.</p>
<p>Yeah, I would agree. A lot of people who only took AP are like "OmFg I am so stressed!" but I am finding my current load quite tolerable. Compared to IB, this is not so bad. Certain classes are obviously tough with the material, but IB gets you accustomed to a lot of busywork in addition to material. Since you are used to dealing with both, taking away the busy work only makes it easier on you.</p>
<p>IB is like getting used to a daily kick to the groin. Anything else just isn't as bad.</p>
<p>It seems like, and I am sure you all will correct me if I am wrong about this, which is okay, :o
...that those that are able to handle juggling IB with a normal life are all the top-of-the-class students already? Yes/No?</p>
<p>I'm in the top 10%, but that is because our grades are weighted. Its very easy to make it to top 10% in the IB as long as you make mostly high and low Bs. I am just your slightly above average student (not by CC standards. <em>rolls eyes</em>)</p>
<p>Uhm, no. I do not recommend anyone do the IB. Please save yourself! You should only do the IB if you plan on going to a school outside the US, that gives IB credit or scholarships (I never heard of a school giving scholarships because you took an AP exam ;D). Its crazy! There are some schools that give actual college credit for IB Math Studies. IB Math Studies is like... preschool compared to any other IB math or AP math. Its like... regulars class...</p>
<p>I disagree completely. If your school offers IB and you do not take it, adcoms will look at it as "This was the most rigorous program offered and this applicant chose to avoid it?" If it's there, take it. It will develop some nice skills even though it won't help much for college credit (Personally I think an IB+AP combination is ideal to get the best of both worlds).</p>
<p>believersmom: Not necessarily. A lot of IB students at my old HS were not at the top of their class at all. But I can tell you that the best students <em>were</em> all in IB, and the IB students fared the best in the admissions game. People that go into IB experience a sort of momentum that carries them to more favorable outcomes in terms of academic growth, admissions, social life, etc.</p>
<p>Haha I'm an IB valedictorian (1/158, though only 25 are full IB diploma candidates and then like about 30 more certificates) and I spend about an hour on homework at night. At our school the IB classes all double as AP classes too, though, so we take both tests in most subjects, just AP in others. ("Electives" = AP Statistics. AWESUM.)</p>
<p>If you just want certificates, IB is pretty much pointless. Full IB requires an assload more work - it's not the daily assignments that will kill you, it's the Extended Essay (I still haven't started mine, hah), TOK Prescribed Essay and Presentation(Haven't done those either yet), Internal Assessments (World Lit Paper ****as, oral presntations, all that shiyat - haven't done most of 'em yet) and just some general stress.</p>
<p>CAS you get through your extracurriculars and just your basic BS skills. I haven't even thought about it yet (ours hours aren't due til March) but I'm pretty sure I've already got them covered.</p>
<p>As for the tests, it depends on what kind of person you are as to what is harder. I got a 7 on Psych IB SL already, but also a 5 on the AP. I thought the AP was easier, though, by far. I think for IB tests you can BS a lot (I sure did, but apparently it worked) but you have to be a good writer.</p>
<p>Who knows, dawg. I'm pretty glad I took IB because I think it makes me a better candidate for colleges, the only reason I'm not glad is cause I need to have an EE rough draft by next Tuesday. I'm pretty chill about homework though, and our teachers aren't that into homework, they're more into making grades based off tests. And it makes you well-rounded and **** too, I guess? Whatev.</p>
<p>I'll throw my thoughts in there as a current IB senior.</p>
<p>I'm not a straight A student, and haven't been since middle school. I'm not the valedictorian of my school nor am I within the top 10 percent... top 25 percent yes (59/293). I am your typical "above average" high school student, to put it best, and so are most of my friends. </p>
<p>I am personally in love with the IB program.</p>
<p>It's forced me to try out things that I never would have done on my own, and I ended up loving some of them. It's helped me learn to feel comfortable giving presentations, and to overcome a lot of my shyness. I sound like an IB brochure, but it's true.</p>
<p>I don't know where the rumor "IB kids don't have a life" came from, but it's utter crap -- at least at my school. You'll go CRAZY if you don't have a life outside of IB. It can get pretty intense at times, which is why there's the CAS component.</p>
<p>I'm heavily involved in drama -- during play seasons (October-December, February-April) I have rehersals pretty much everyday 3:45-5:30. Occasionally earlier/later depending on the show. I work at my parents shop on Saturdays, I volunteer at a Nursing Home, and I help teach Sunday School. I'm insanely busy, and I love every minute of it... and I still have time to get all my IB stuff done.</p>
<p>My G.P.A is around a 3.8 (u.w), more weighted but I'm not sure what.</p>
<p>If your school offers IB, go for it. It's an amazing experience overall.</p>
<p>I'm currently in IB, just a junior though, so I haven't had to deal with much of the assessments etc. I think, I 've only done it for the first quarter, so far IB is pretty manageable. Of course you'll have to work a few extra hours, you might find that some of the subjects ( at least HLs) become challenging (finally you won't fall asleep in math lol). Regarding the initial no social life etc, thats absolute BS. I'm involved in tons of ECs, I party every weekend, and I still managed to get a 97 avg. this quarter. :)</p>
<p>our TOK is weird, it isn't half junior year half senior year it's only senior year and we weren't given any information or advice or anything about extended essays until september. :-(</p>
<p>Eh, IB isn't that bad at all. Usually I'll only have around 30 minutes to an hour of homework... Mind you, I'm not doing Chem or Math HL, and those are usually the heavy work courses. But I do Varsity Lacrosse, marching band, jazz band, and a lot of other activities. It just isn't that bad at all.</p>
<p>This week though... it wasn't the best. There are a lot of large papers, and sometimes they overlap, and if you procrastinate, it can be bad. I wrote a 5 page research paper tuesday night, and a 1200 word english paper on the effectiveness of surreal vs. real diction last night. That's two extremely late nights in one week.</p>
<p>If you don't procrastinate, it's not too bad at all. </p>
<p>I don't get much either except for English History and Physics.</p>
<p>English involves reading. That takes me a while.</p>
<p>History involves studying for tests. It takes me maybe an hour to read and take notes over a chapter. Then through out the period, I study my notes for a few minutes. The night and morning before the test, I act like I'm cramming.</p>
<p>Physics is hard to udnerstand so it takes me an hour to do that homework.</p>
<p>Its discouraging many times. Especially since I'm in Academic Decathlon. But please do not give up. As long as you do not procrastinate and use the weekends to your advantage, you will progressively get better and better! I can see myself improving MAJORLY.</p>