I am about to be a junior in high school and I decided to take some IB classes. I decided against doing the full program and 6 out of my 8 classes are IB classes. I decided against the full program because I want to continue on with my Technical Theatre class. This will be my third year with the class and will count as an honors course this year. I’m uncertain of my choice to do this lately and I need to decide before school starts. Will colleges be more impressed at me doing the full IB program or me pursuing my interests?
Can you do something with Technical Theatre that is interesting, unique, wins an award or puts you in a leadership position? Is it some thing you could write an essay about that shows your passion, commitment and would reflect your personality?
The value of an EC is what you make it.
I do remember you posting this in another place on this forum…
Go with what will make you happy, but in admissions to the very top schools, not doing the full IB program may hurt you.
As a counterpoint, EC involvement is often what helps separate out the smart, academically outstanding kids who apply from those who are admitted to top schools. The amount of IB/AP high achievers who apply to top schools is more than they can admit. If theater is your main passion/EC then continuing to pursue it in greater depth could help you more in admissions to elite schools than a few different courses. Can you take on a leadership role?
I was in a similar dilemma in high school and had to drop an AP to pursue my passion. I actually talked with adcoms about it and they recommended dropping the AP. Never regretted it. For the less selective schools ECs will generally play a much smaller role in admissions.
Keep up with the Technical Theatre class. You will be much happier. Also, you need to know that few high schools even offer that kind of class! Having multiple years of that available, and an honors section, is truly uncommon.