<p>I was convinced (or conned same thing) into taking the IB program because I was told it would give me a HUGE advantage in my admissions. Lo and behold, I was swamped with work and had minimal time for any other matters including my plan for getting a great SAT score. I am in my last year and just wanted to know if my decision will be worth it when I head to college?</p>
<p>Yes. It will be worth it. At many levels.
1° it’s the most rigorous program you can take and you’ll have the number of “rigorous” classes required even by the most selective colleges (#1 selection criterion is “academic rigor”)
2° you’ll be better prepared than most - both in study habits and in content (a study was done about this)
3° you’ll skip at least 3 colleges classes and perhaps more (as with Math HL = 2 semesters worth of calculus + credits, or Foreign Language HL = 3 or 4 semesters worth of language study and credits) which allows you to bypass some crowded classes at big state universities and/or save a lot of money (especially at private colleges) + leave more space for upper-level classes or electives of your choice.
Now, will it give you a HUGE advantage in admissions if you apply to Harvard? Not really, since most admitted applicants are likely to have that level of rigor.
If you handled the IB diploma while living in difficult conditions (ie., you’re first gen or lower-income, for instance), it will certainly help a lot since few IB diploma students also live in difficult conditions.
If you live in Florida, it brings nice perks at the college level.
If everyone at your high school does IB and all apply to the same school, obviously you’ll have to stand out in a different manner.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback!</p>
<p>I mean I hope so, Im in the same position as you. Hoping rigor comes through, one of four who took the programme at our public school.</p>
<p>My daughter did the IB program (VA resident). The top 8 kids in the program are going to UVA or better schools. Kids just below that level are going to VA Tech. On down are at other lower tier schools. Basically if can keep your GPA high in the IB program it helps but if your GPA falls it is no help. BTW these kids all had a lot of ECs. Good luck! </p>
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