<p>I'm in the IB program, and I love it.</p>
<p>Yes, it is a lot of work. You will study a lot if you do the diploma program. But, at least in my oppinion, it is definatly worth it. You'll learn so much, and the stuff covered by the syllabi are actually really interesting. Instead of simply being forced to memorize facts, you'll be taught how to think critically and how to apply your knowlege. It's not enough to know that such-and-such IS; you'll be expected to know why, what the implications of it are, what the weaknesses of it are, how it might affect other things, etc. </p>
<p>If I were you I'd go for the full diploma. One of the good things about the program is that you're forced to study things that are not your strong points. You might be great in English and history, and be able to cruise through those classes fairly easily, but then really have to struggle with something else. In my experience, that can be very rewarding. I'm taking economics at higher level, for example, and it is not a subject that comes naturally to me. It's actually one of my favorite subjects now, because after each lesson I feel like I've really learned something new. When I got my grade last term (a 7, yay!) it was much more gratifying to have done well in that class, since I had to struggle, than it was to get the same grade in psychology, which I find easy. </p>
<p>If you do the full diploma, you'll also have to take ToK (Theory of Knowlege), do CAS (creativity, action, service) and write an EE (extended essay). I, and most of the other people in my class, curse these three things very frequently. They are a real pain. Still, I know that they are all very worthwhile. Because of CAS I've tried things I'd never have done before (done everything from ballroom dancing to martial arts!). ToK has taught me to think, and I use the knowlege I've gained in that class in all my other subjects as well as in daily life. The EE is a great preparation for college, and pretty much everyone gets really excited about their EE once they get going with it. </p>
<p>I think the IB is a fantastic program, and even when I'm bogged down with work I don't regret doing it. I used to hate school (everything was so slow, people were unmotivated, teachers boring, and it felt like a waste of time), but I don't anymore. Being in a rigorous program, surrounded by interesting people who enjoy learning and being mentored by the best teachers in the school is a wonderful thing, I think! If you think you might want to do the IB, do it! Give it a try at least, and if you don't feel like you can handle it you can always drop some subjects and not do the entire diploma. It's usually easier to go downwards than up, at least in my school.</p>