<p>Let's say a college gets to choose between two fairly-similar students, but one takes a harder course-load, but ends up with a lower GPA, and the other takes a regular course-load and gets a higher GPA. Which one do colleges prefer?</p>
<p>For example, will they prefer someone who has a 3.5 unweighted GPA, but has taken all three AP sciences and up to Linear Algebra in math...</p>
<p>Or, will they prefer something who has a 4.0 unweighted GPA, but has taken all regular honors courses.</p>
<p>Regular honors courses? At my school, the only difference between Honors and AP is whether or not you took the test.</p>
<p>in my school AP is a completely seperate and much harder class. honors classes finish the courseload by june, while ap finish in april. i certainly hope they value AP more</p>
<p>The top tier schools are more interested with students who will take advantage of what they have -- are willing to challenge themselves -- even to the sacrifice of straight As. As they see it, how you push yourself now -- it's a good indicator if you'll push yourself at their school. Why should they give a slot to one who settles on a fluff schedule when they have many verifiably self-motivated applicants? Your transcript is more important than the GPA.</p>
<p>Schools which provide academic challenge are interested in students who challenge themselves academically. A somewhat lower GPA in a more challenging curriculum (if offered at the school) is preferable to a higher GPA in less challenging courses.</p>
<p>I went through the IB program which is probably THE best college preparation curriculum in the world. Naturally the competition and average GPAs were much higher and mine was not as stellar compared to people who did not challenge themselves and got 4.0s. </p>
<p>Come essay time for colleges, I had more things to talk about that looked better to colleges than regular high school students. Also, a more practical benefit, I am much more prepared for college. Taking IB tests and studying for them, I am well prepared to study for Midterms and Finals. Take IB/AP if you can! Definitely worth it.</p>
<p>i must say from what ive heard IB is definetely not as good,and contains more useless material, than the ap curriculum</p>
<p>ucsd, That's really comforting (I'm an IB student too and my school weighs Honors and IB the same way, so Rank = Screwed).</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Beefs, depends on what you mean as useless but ya IB does have way more than AP.</p>
<p>Actually I was offered admission into an IB program and I have to say that a friend of mine who went through it had less work than I did (I'm taking 5 APs). I also don't think IB is any better than AP.</p>
<p>depends on the college. If you are thinking of HYPSM et al, they won't accept either student since there are plenty of kids who take a bunch of AP's and earn a ~3.9 gpa.</p>
<p>Yes, I agree don't go crazy because schools really only appreciate you challenging yourself if you are able to do well. I would suggest that you balance out your AP and regular classes. But if taking AP means that you get a C then go for the regular.</p>