Scheduling conflict? IB style

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello all, I had a question regarding on what to do...</p>

<p>So at my high school, we are near exclusively IB. We offer 3 AP courses, AP Comp Gov't(Taking now as a sophomore) AP US Gov't, AP Statistics.</p>

<p>IB-wise, we offer a medium range of IB Classes</p>

<p>IB Math Hl/Sl
Math Studies
Chem HL
Bio HL
Physics Sl
French and Spanish HL/Sl
Spanish A2
History HL
Anthro Sl
English HL
Music HL
Visual Arts Sl
Visual Arts HL
Business Management SL
Computer Science Sl
Computer Science HL</p>

<p>Right now I'm a sophomore, preparing for the IB Schedule. I am very strong in math and science, so I take HL Chem and HL Math. Technically, this should be my HL 1 year but when coming to the state where my HS is, they scrapped my 7th grade Alg 1. Same goes for my French 1 in 7th grade.</p>

<p>So I've had a problem deciding on whether or not to do diploma.</p>

<p>My jr year schedule(diploma) will likely look like this</p>

<p>Math HL
English Hl
History Hl
Comp Sci SL
Spanish IV
Chem HL
Physics I(My school requires 1 year of what we call SOL physics, then you take IB physics)</p>

<p>Due to TOK being a required class, my Senior year schedule would be like this</p>

<p>Math HL
English HL
History HL
Computer Science HL
Spanish V
Chem HL
TOK</p>

<p>Seven classes, and I don't get to finish Physics.</p>

<p>I wanted to take SL physics, but the way my schedule is, I'm screwed. I'm a future Comp Sci major, so Computer Science is not leaving. I want to take more science classes because I love math and science with a passion, but part of me still wants the diploma. </p>

<p>My school also has this thing called IB scholar, which means I take minimum 4 IB Classes. My schedule then would be</p>

<p>Math HL
Chem HL
English HL
AP stat
Comp Sci SL
Physics I
History HL</p>

<p>Senior year would be</p>

<p>Math HL
Chem HL
English HL
Comp Sci HL
Physics SL
History HL
TOK</p>

<p>So.. what should I do? Also Physics SL to me is not as challenging as the AP physics, which for some reason at any mention the coordinator is a little upset. </p>

<p>Also just a note.. as a sophomore I've learned Calculus I outside of school and am learning II right now. I've also taken the liberty of learning college level physics, with calculus. Doesn't beat having an actual class, but I have a high aptitude and learning rate.</p>

<p>I also have a 4.0 GPA, but the school has limits on course progression, meaning that if I wasn't restricted when I first cam here, I still couldn't take HL 2.</p>

2

<p>bump for notice</p>

3

<p>I recommend that you go for the IB. It’ll improve your chances for selective colleges. There’s little point in taking courses for an “almost” IB. Do the IB and take all the courses required, including TOK.</p>

<p>And instead of doing extra courses “outside” of school, your application would be better served by identifying ECs that really excite you, and doing them extremely well and with passion.</p>

4

<p>I do participate in EC’s, primarily robotics and math league. Also I plan on starting a math club. The area I live in doesn’t have much of anything, so everything is school based. And the academic team and MUN. All of which I’m a top member, especially robotics and math club.</p>

<p>I want IB physics though for a challenge. The way my school scheduling is configured, I’m disadvantaged for that. So would it be worth self-studying AP Physics C w/Electricity & Magnetism and taking that AP exam?</p>

5

<p>I’m in a very similar situation to you. I chose not to do the IB Diploma, but to take as many challenging IB classes as possible, so I would have time for science research.
My school has an even smaller selection than yours does, it’s actually very set in stone. Please tell me what your final decision is so I can compare it to mine.</p>

6

<p>well I just finished scheduling yesterday. My school looks down upon 4 HLs, but oh well.</p>

<p>I can’t jump into IB Physics, dumb county rule. So I take SOL Physics, then IB Physics. </p>

<p>But I will take an online physics course in about 2 weeks that qualifies, so I could then take IB physics. Good plan?</p>

7

<p>My schedule looks/looked a lot like yours, and I was fine with it. I’m also taking 4 HLs this year, and I absolutely <em>love</em> most of my IB classes, they’re the ones that challenge me and make me learn. You should definitely go with the schedule if you can :slight_smile: GL!</p>

8

<p>Damn… what change in my life from then to now.</p>