Lack of AP/IB classes :\

International Students
1

<p>I'm from a small city in Madhya Pradesh where IB courses are not offered. I am a junior in a CBSE affiliated school and have good grades as of yet and hopefully the rest will be good too. But I'm really concerned about the lack of IB courses most of the top universities seem to require. Will they understand the situation or will it mean a straight off rejection? I got a CGPA of 10 (~95%) in my 10th board. I'll be giving SAT 1 in may and SAT 2 in june. I'm pretty confident about those since I've been preparing for the tests since over 6 months. I have good EC's and volunteer jobs. I'm doing a research too. My only concern is the IB classes. Would it really hurt my chances? </p>

<p>P.S. I don't need financial aid. Will that work to my advantage?</p>

2

<p>Don’t worry. You’ll be fine if you take care of the rest.</p>

3

<p>Thanks. And what about the FinAid? Will it be an advantage since I won’t be applying for it?</p>

4

<p>It depends. You’ll have an advantage at most colleges. Only a few are need blind for international applicants. There have been plenty of discussions about this here.</p>

5

<p>IB courses/tests are not required at any university in the US. If you are not asking for financial aid, your chances automatically increase significantly.</p>

6

<p>IB and AP courses aren’t required at all. And plus these are something that domestic applicants have much more access to. But if you want to, you can always give AP tests. But they are offered only once during a year (at least where I live). They are in sometime April and March…</p>

7

<p>Yes I know they aren’t prerequisites. But you can’t deny that most top universities look for them. Thank you for your insight, though :)</p>

<p>@phr34k really? Didn’t know about that. And where do you live?</p>

8

<p>Nikita0812 and Phr34k, AP tests are administered only during May each year, around the globe.</p>

<p>Nikita, if you aren’t pursing the IB diploma, you are ineligible to take the tests. However, if you really want, you could take the AP tests this year in may (if you are in 11th). AP tests taken in may of the senior year don’t matter much (they do, but to a lesser extent) because the scores are released after your college decisions are declared.</p>

9

<p>Yes I’m in 11th and I’ll definitely try and take the tests in May.
Could you clarify something though? Which tests are you talking about when you say I’m ineligible to take them since I’m not pursuing the IB diploma?</p>

10

<p>Tizil7 is right!
If you want to take AP, You have to register in January- February(i.e. immediately). Exams are only taken once a year in May. If you are in 11th than you have only this once chance before you start applying! They are not difficult.
IB or not would not matter as they know that is not available at many places.
If you don’t apply apply for FA, it will help you in admissions except in HYPM, which are need blind even for International.</p>

11

<p>Nikita, the IB tests. You can take the IB tests iff you are undertaking the two year (11th+12th) IB diploma</p>

<p>And as for registering for the AP tests, make your way to [CollegeBoard</a> AP](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>Supporting Students from Day One to Exam Day – AP Central | College Board)</p>

<p>If you are taking Chemistry in 11th, then AP chem should be easy for you and so should be AP Physics B/C: Mech.</p>

12

<p>Thank you so much! I’ll immediately register for the AP tests. :)</p>

13

<p>Wait, don’t go so fast; review the tests’ syllabi first! You might find that you need to cover a few things before may - and keep in mind your final exams.</p>

<p>Also, to get a five on most science APs, you need just >60% marks ;)</p>

<p>For AP Chem, it’s just >50% ~ 5/5.</p>

14

<p>Oh okay. I know what you mean, I have to give my final exams mid of feb and I have to concentrate on those so I can maintain my grades.
And thats great, I really hope I get those scores than. Thanks for the advice :)</p>

15

<p>You should take the SAT2 subject tests, AP is not needed (it is mainly for getting college credit). US students take it as that is the most rigor classes available.
[SAT</a> Subject Tests - About SAT](<a href=“http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/sat-subject/about]SAT”>College Board Will No Longer Offer SAT Subject Tests or SAT with Essay – College Board Blog)</p>