Stay in IB or go back to AP???

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>OK</p>

<p>Well firstly, I'll introduce myself.</p>

<p>My name is Patrick. I found this forum on Google so I figured I come ask some very important questions to get important answers from a variety of people.</p>

<p>I am a Junior in High School</p>

<p>Anyways, my school opened the IB program here this year, and I was asked (well, I was asked this summer before sophomore year to take the Philosophy class that my school was setting up to prep students for IB) by some counselors to join the IB program. So I did, because I thought it was a good idea.</p>

<p>I currently have around a 3.7 GPA on a 4.0 scale (and like a 4.3 on 5.0 scale I think)</p>

<p>Well, it was different than what I expected to say the least. No doubt the IB program is distinguished, but its the time of the year where we start selecting our courses for next year. So here's my situation:</p>

<p>Here are my classes I am taking this year:
IB History of the Americas HL
IB English HL
IB Biology HL
IB Physics SL
IB Theory of Knowledge
Spanish III
AP Calculus
Basketball (x2 periods)</p>

<p>Here are the classes I am scheduled to take next year:
IB History of the Americas HL
IB Biology HL
IB English HL
IB Math Studies SL
IB Psychology
IB Theory of Knowledge
IB Spanish IV
Basketball (x2 periods)</p>

<p>Here lies the problem: I was looking to major in something in the medical field, which 2 years of an advanced Bio class would certainly help with colleges, but I am contemplating leaving the IB program and go back to AP to where my schedule would look like this:
AP Calculus II
AP Physics C
AP English IV
Honors Anatomy
AP Spanish IV
Basketball(x2 periods)
Medical Microbiology</p>

<p>I think I would probably get better grades in this AP schedule, and would certainly have more fun because there are only 25 people in the IB program, so they're basically in like half of my classes are with the same people. I also have a girlfriend who is in AP classes, and I would really really really like to be able to have some of the same classes as her next year.</p>

<p>Just some other background info: I'm going to be an Eagle Scout soon. I got a 5 on the AP World History Exam in May 08 (thats the only AP test Ive had the chance to take yet). I got a 190 on my PSAT back in November(Haven't taken the SAT yet). I am also on the Varsity Basketball team.</p>

<p>So anyways, to the meat of the question, should I stay in IB or not? Ideally, I want to go to either Stanford, Yale, University of Texas (I live in Austin), or John Hopkins. Would these colleges, along with others, rather me be an IB graduate? Or take more scientifically-oriented classes that would be equally as difficult.</p>

<p>PS: just a side note, I've already received letters from numerous colleges that are interested in me. I also have some backup choices to colleges if I can't go to Stanford, Yale, Texas, or John Hopkins. I looked at Vanderbilt, Rice, TCU, UC Berkeley, etc. </p>

<p>Please, pleeease give me some feedback. I need to make a decision here pretty soon.</p>

<p>Thank you for your time,
-Patrick</p>

2

<p>Hey, Patrick. I'm finishing out my senior year and will more than likely be an IB diploma recipient. The program has its benefits and drawbacks; typically, though, I'd recommend that someone of your academic background stay in the program. However, there are some issues to address.</p>

<p>My school integrates the AP and IB programs. So, for example, I'll be taking both the AP Physics B and IB Physics HL exam this year, even though I'm only taking one comprehensive physics class. It seems that you'd be strictly in the IB program at your school. Though an IB diploma is prestigious and widely recognized, there are numerous advantages to taking AP classes and passing AP exams in the U.S.; mainly, APs ARE more recognized than IB and are easier to earn credit with. At most colleges, a 3 on an AP exam will earn you credit; at others, it takes a 4 or a 5. On the other hand, you can only earn credit by taking Higher Level exams, which are substantially more difficult than AP exams. And trust me, it's always nice to have a back-up. It seems that the IB courses that you're planning on taking would definitely interfere with your goals. For example, an IB Math Studies credit is virtually worthless to colleges. It will be an enormous step down from AP Calculus BC and you will earn no credit for it. </p>

<p>Secondly, your school has just begun to offer the IB curriculum. The students going into the IB program there now are the guinea pigs. Statistically, only 60% of them will do well enough to get their diploma. My school has a very strong, recognized IB program that has been taught there for about 25 years, and 95%+ of IB students here receive their diploma. This is certainly not to say that you are unintelligent, by any means; that has nothing to do with it. The problem is that IBO is very exacting and anal-retentive when it comes to what they expect, and their standards seem to change constantly. It will take 5+ years for the teachers and administration to adjust to the curriculum and to know what to teach and what to do. You will definitely be taking a risk if you choose to continue your program of study in IB. Like I said, the first few IB classes at your school will be the guinea pig classes. It is not a sure thing that your school will thrive with the IB program. </p>

<p>If you are willing to take the risk, I'd again like to reiterate that it looks very good when you're in IB, and better to some colleges than to others. Also, if you DO choose to drop out of IB, you will keep any credit that you earn in IB classes. So, if you earn a 7 on say, your English HL exam, you will be able to use that credit for placement in college regardless of whether you receive your IB diploma or not.</p>

<p>All that said, I'd personally recommend that you drop IB. You will be on a more sure path and your senior year will be MUCH easier than it would be otherwise.</p>

3

<p>First of all, thank you for your very in depth response. You don't know how beneficial replies like that are to me.</p>

<p>When they went around recruiting some of the top students for the IB program, they definitely iterated the fact that we would be the guinea pigs. I decided to do it because I knew it was a recognized program and I figured that an IB diploma, depending on my total score, would get me anywhere from 25 to 40 college hours knocked out of the way. But, as I have said and have you, since this is the first year for the program at my school, there are such a limited amount of classes that I can take for IB, and still get all 7 fields of the IB program completed (that was why I am taking IB Psychology, because it would count as my Art credit)</p>

<p>I am still planning on taking AP exams this year, because my school also mixed the IB program with the AP classes this year since there were not enough students to start own classes, understandingly so. The only 2 classes that are completely IB students are the IB History and IB English class, because they are both classes that everyone is taking (not everyone is taking the same IB sciences, for example I am in Bio and others are in Chemistry). But since, for example, my IB Bio class this year ( the first part of the HL course) is almost exactly the same as AP Bio, I was going to take the AP Bio Exam anyways, as well as the AP US History, AP Calculus (that's the only class I am in that is AP not IB), and possibly the AP English Exams. I got a 5 on my AP World History exam last year, so AP tests are certainly not a difficulty for me.</p>

<p>But as you were saying, the IB Math Stuides Credit would certainly be worthless for me in college. The only reason I would be in that class next year would be because it would be my IB math credit to receive the diploma. All my other classmates in IB are all a year behind me in math (because I took Algebra I back in middle school in 7th grade when most of them took it in 8th), so I am a year ahead and that's why I am in Calculus this year as a Junior.</p>

<p>But ya, back to the subject of the limiting IB courses, that is what concerns me. Not to mention that my English teacher and I do not get along (I know that should never be an issue, but we just never seem to like each other, which certainly is a negative considering I would have to be in English HL next year as well). I definitely would not have a problem staying in IB next year if there were more of a variety of courses, but since next year is the 2nd year of the program here, it is certainly going to be lacking.</p>

<p>I'll still be considering of course of staying or not, right now I am on the fence. But if I do go back to AP classes, that would bring me to my follow up question:</p>

<p>What are the chances of me getting into schools like Yale, Stanford, or Rice? Academically, as I mentioned earlier, I am around a 3.7 GPA. I usually hover around 90s in most classes, some of them I have slipped into the 86 range for 1 semester. Also, I am soon becoming an Eagle Scout, as well as I am on the Varsity Basketball team and have a lot of community service project volunteer hours under my belt, which I think helps with the roundness aspect of an applicant. I think I am around 50/800 in my graduating class at the moment, but I think I can pull that back up into the Top 20 this spring semester and next year.</p>

4

<p>Ah, so your school is integrating AP/IB classes. In that case, I would say that it all depends on which classes are integrated and whether or not staying in the program would prevent you from taking vital AP classes that would be more practical to have under your belt. Does your school offer IB Math HL? If not, you might try it as a self-study kind of thing; check with your guidance counselor. The reason I say that is that it'd be rather pointless to be in IB Math Studies and Calc BC at the same time. You would be bored to the point of wanting to rip your eyes out in Math Studies. This may be the only issue for you. If you're willing to sit through Math Studies, you'll earn an easy (probably weighted) A and fulfill the math requirement for IB. So long as your IB classes won't interfere with your APs, you may as well go for it. If you get your IB Diploma, all the better. If not, you haven't really lost anything past a few hours of sleep, haha. </p>

<p>Now, to be honest, your chances of getting into Stanford or Yale are pretty slim; everyone's are. No GPA, SAT, or extracurricular activity will give you a sure ride to either school; there is no magic formula. That said, both schools are extremely competitive, with many applicants having a 4.0, high SAT and strong ECs under their belt. A 3.7 and (projected) 1900 on the SAT would quickly fall off their radar, especially if you're white. You would really have to stun them with an incredible essay or extracurricular activity at this point. There's no harm in applying, but be prepared for rejection.</p>

<p>As for Rice, I'd say that you have about a 50/50 shot of getting in. A lot is going to depend on your senior year; keep your grades up, get an SAT review book and shoot for a 2100+! Rice is a great school with a relatively moderate (25%) admission rate, but competition is getting more cutthroat each year. I got in with a 3.63/4.31 GPA and 2210 SAT; my GPA was low and the SAT rather average for Rice, but I was likely helped by my essay and all the AP/IB classes I had taken. I was definitely worried about it, though. Therefore, if you keep up your grades, maintain your class rank, do well on your SAT, and take rigorous classes (whether IB or AP only is up to you at this point), you'll have a pretty good shot at it.</p>

5

<p>I would suggest dropping to AP</p>

<p>This isn't my story, but a friend of mine. This friend was once again a test run for an IB program and thought it would be very beneficial. At the same time, one of his classmates stayed in their well-establish AP program..</p>

<p>To make a long story short, the friend in IB did not get the dipolma or the number of credits he was looking for..The one in AP got a 5 on all her AP test...</p>

<p>I think AP would be a far better choice..
just my two cents</p>

6

<p>I said the same thing originally, but if his IB classes are going to cover all of the AP material anyway and he plans on taking both exams, there's really no harm to it.</p>

7

<p>i'm not super familiar with IB to be honest
i only know what happened with my friend</p>

8

<p>go to AP. IB is underrated in the US. I'm not sure what you meant, but those are not backup colleges..</p>

9

<p>What I meant by backup was by that there were not my primary choices.</p>

<p>And the reason I am wanting to go to AP is not because it is easier than IB, it is because the classes offered in IB do not really cover my interests. </p>

<p>But I wanted to know if it was worth staying in to get the IB diploma, even if it doesn't necessarily prepare me properly for the major I want to go for.</p>

10

<p>Honestly, your IB Diploma won't really mean anything once you're already in college besides giving you a feeling of accomplishment. What's more important is the extensive nature of the courses and the fact that the IB curriculum is recognized by most colleges as rigorous. If you plan on going into the medical field, IB Bio HL is a great class to take. You're going to breeze through Bio 101/102 in college.</p>

11

<p>I'm a freshman in the IB program at my high school, ours is very well developed, but I also have friends in AP, where it is not necessarily easier, but often covers a wider array of subjects. As far as diplomas and exams go preparation outside of school can also be very helpful, such as a virtual school (Welcome</a> to Florida Virtual School: an online e-learning solution , if you are located in Florida). All in all I'd say you would probably have an easier time in AP as far as college and future career goals. Do remember that you can never be totally sure as far as college acceptance goes.</p>

<p>All the best of luck, I'm sure you will succeed in what you choose. </p>

<p>Emily ,
I think therefore...IB...</p>