This is going to be a really long post.
So I’m looking for an outside opinion on whether or not I should take the IB diploma program. I’m a freshman in high school right now and most of my friends are in Pre-IB. I’ve always loved learning. I’ve kept straight As since elementary school. After talking with my counselor to set up a CCR, I asked if I should take IB. She said that the Career IB would be pointless to take (as our school offers separate Career Pathways), but I might take the Diploma program, although she said it’s up to me since I have a 4.0 right now.
My high school plan looks a bit like this right now:
10th grade: English 10 Honors
AP Calculus AB
Biology Honors
World Civ Honors I+II
Yoga
Orchestra
Spanish II
Medical Terminology
Forensics I+II
11th Grade: English 11 Honors
AP Calc BC
Chem Honors
APUSH
Orchestra
Spanish III
MAP
AP/IB Psych (either junior or senior year)
12th Grade: AP Lit
IB Math SL
Physics Honors
AP US Gov
Orchestra
Spanish IV
Advanced Health Sciences
I’m testing out of a lot of courses, hence the missing required electives and stuff.
I want to go to medical school and study to become a forensic pathologist. I have thought about just taking a mix of AP, IB, and Honors courses as opposed to the full program. I’ve read/heard that a lot of med schools aren’t just looking for good grades, but also a lot of extracurriculars (any opinions on that?). In junior high, I earned two Presidential Volunteer Service Awards and I got a $500 grant from NJHS, and once I turn 16 I’d like to volunteer at the library, hospital, and animal shelter. I also play violin and already dedicate a lot of time to that. Once I get used to high school (I was home schooled for the past 4 years), I’d like to become more active in clubs as well. Those are my main reasons for not wanting to go full IB, because I’ve heard it takes up a lot of time.
On the other hand, when my friends have asked what I plan to do, they think that the IB program is just amazing and wonderful and that I’m making a huge mistake by not taking it, but I’m not sure that they’re exactly the most reliable source of information. Plus, most of them come from really rich families, so they’re basically set for life no matter what. I’m hoping to get a job next year so I can start saving for college (another reason against the IB program).
What are your guys’ opinions?