<p>I'm an 8th grader right now, but I was wondering if I should do the IB program in high school or just do AP classes. Right now in my middle school I'm in 3 honors classes, and in 9th grade math. I've read about the IB program and the good things that people have said about it. If you have done it, or are in the program now, I would like to know if you have time to do sports with all the homework (I swim) and if its better than AP.</p>
<p>Alyshia: take the most rigorous courseload you can while doing well and leaving time for the ECs that are most meaningful for you. My oldest is a Junior at an all IB and very highly ranked HS. She’s also a high performing athlete, 2 out of every 3 seasons, each year she’s been in HS. I’m sorry if this advice seems obvious. There’s no magic forumla – you evaluate at every step. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>Have you visited the IB forum? I suggested you take some time to read threads on that board. [International</a> Baccalaureate (IB) - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/international-baccalaureate-ib/]International”>International Baccalaureate (IB) - College Confidential Forums)</p>
<p>My D looked into the IB program at the neighboring HS in our district. She chose to go to her “home” high school which has a rigorous AP program. But that’s not to say that AP is “better”. I would say look at the IB curriculum (pre IB through full IB) and see what interests you. What are your goals? If you are hoping to get into a highly selective school, what matters is how you perform in school and how you challenge yourself, regardless of whether it’s IB or AP. For my D, she thought the IB curriculum was too structured for her. Also she was ready for Algebra II Honors in 9th grade and taking the IB curriculum would’ve slowed her down on the math track at our local IB program. But she has friends who are doing IB and loving it.</p>
<p>IB is a rigorous two-year program with tough classes and exterior assignments. However, your first two years will either be part of a failure of an IB-Prep program, or just regular, vanilla high school.
Do you want to:
Spend your first two HS years in a program where half of the kids don’t know how or why they are there?
Take a philosophy class weekly, sometimes several hours after school?
Write a thesis paper similar to what you’d be doing in a college honors program?
Organize a community service project that must fulfill certain requirements?</p>
<p>If yes, than IB is for you. And to answer your other questions, usually no. I have a few friends at my old school who do IB+athletics, but VERY VERY few. Usually, even IB+Band takes up all of their time.</p>
<p>If your school offers IB, then it would be in your favor to take it. While the classes themselves are not necessarily harder or easier than AP ones, there are extra stuff that you do as an IB student such as CAS, IAs, and an EE that make it a bit more rigorous. Are you shooting for HYP schools? If you are then definitely take the most rigorous courseload or track at your school and do IB. I did IB and took roughly 10 AP classes as well so I did a mix of both.</p>
<p>Thank you for answering my questions! I still haven’t decided if I want to do IB, but you guys did help.</p>
<p>I am a ninth grader in an all IB school. I know people whodo the IB diploma program in 11th and 12th grade and they love it! It is challenging but doesnt take up your life if you manage your time wisley. Top colleges accept both AP and IB but I suggest IB and start the diploma program in 11th grade.</p>