Hello CC! I just entered high school and am on the fence on whether to do the IB program starting junior year or not. My high school focuses on IB and offers only a few APs (stats, apush, and a couple of others). My schedule is:
Precalculus
STEM Chemistry
Lit and Comp 1
World History
Physical Education
Java Programming
Graphic Design
I am not currently part of any clubs but want to join one soon. Next year, I want to take two APs as well as honors and Spanish 4 (I have three years of Spanish from middle school already).
My question, should I go on to take IB, or transfer to an AP-oriented high school? I’ve heard some people say that IB is highly valued and worth doing, and others say that AP is more valued and less stressful. What say you?
IB is terrific for a well-rounded curriculum. IMO, it’s a great foundation. But, having said that, the question I have looking at your schedule is if you want well-rounded or if you want more of a STEM focus. Many students who want more science (and robotics, programming, etc) find the IB program doesn’t leave time for that because of its requirements. It could be helpful for you to figure out, in an ideal world, what you’d like your schedule to look like for the rest of high school. The other thing to consider is that in most cases, the HL classes go further than the AP ones. Then look at what the IB snd AP schools offer and see which comes closer.
At our school, the FL requirement is the decider for many students, but it looks like you wouldn’t mind that.
Talk to your school’s IB coordinator, if you don’t know who it is, ask at the counseling office, and see what your schedule would look like if you did IB. Ask what IB Math classes are available, if they only have SL math, you are going to have to plan accordingly. Find out what sciences are offered and at what level.
Update us on what your schedule would look like and we can help you from there.
My daughter took HL Math, HL Chem, HL Physics,for her IB diploma. SHe was able to get over a years worth of credits for college. Colleges value both APs and IB. The IB Diploma program really prepares you for the rigor of college.
I think you have to look at the courses available for IB and AP and see what works for what you want to do.
I agree with your friend that AP classes are much less complicated and structured, I prefer the AP style courses vs. the IB Diploma courses, I have personally taken both and prefer the AP style.