Switching schools for IB --- worth it?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>I am currently a sophomore attending a public high school. My current high school isn't bad, and has quite an extensive AP program. Unfortunately, the staff and the teachers seem to be incompetent, unsympathetic and make what could be a great school not-so-great. Myself, my peers and my parents have had many negative experiences, so I don't think it's just me that complains.</p>

<p>The neighboring school district offers International Baccalaureate, and is noted as being one of the best high schools in the state and was mentioned in the top 500 in the country. Unfortunately, due to scheduling difficulties the schedule I would have going into that school would not be optimal. At the other district, they take Chemistry as sophomores and in mine they take biology, so I would have to take that senior year. And in the other school district there is a pre-IB math course in order to go into Math SL/HL, something that I would have to take as a junior and just go into Math SL. I would also be losing out in the diversity you can get with AP and a block schedule, as opposed to the standardized IB curriculum in a 6-period day. </p>

<p>Planned courses to take in current High School:
11th Grade:
- Honors English 11
- French 4
- Honors Chemistry
- AP Biology
- AP Calc AB
- AP Calc BC
- AP Human Geography
- International Foods (Slacker Class)
- Computer Generated Art (Slacker Class)
12th Grade:
- AP Statistics
- Collage Algebra
- Reading & Writing Critically
- Media Studies
- AP MacroEconomics
- American Government
- AP Physics
- Meteorology (Slacker Class)
- Engineering Design (Collage Course)
- Media Productions (Slacker Class)
- Psychology (Slacker Class)
*AP Chemistry may be fitted senior sear
*current school considering reverting to 6-period day senior year, would ruin whole schedule</p>

<p>Planned courses in other IB High School
11th Grade:
- IB Prep Math (unsatisfactory)
- IB English HL
- IB European History HL
- IB Biology HL
- IB Physics SL
- IB French SL
12th Grade:
- IB Math SL
- IB English HL
- IB European History HL
- IB Biology HL
- IB Theory of Knowledge
- Chemistry 10X (unsatisfactory but not as big of a deal as math)</p>

<p>I would really like to either take Math HL or SL straight up, I am in PreCalc right now and apparently that doesn't meet the requirements to be in Math SL/HL. Another thing to consider is the hassle of switching schools, making new friends (I have a social life which I enjoy, don't want to give that up so much), transport (I need to carpool with someone to get a parking space, but no one around me goes to the other school district), having to do CAS BS, etc. I get relatively good grades (3.925GPA unweighted Freshman year, 3.75GPA unweighted Senior Year - current school does no weighting and my class rank suffers, i am 116/678) </p>

<p>*Would it be worth it (collage acceptance standpoint) to switch schools to do the IB program, or should I just stick with my current school's (extensive) AP program? *</p>

2

<p>Why does your senior year schedule have College Algebra after taking AP Calculus AB & BC? At my local community colleges, College Algebra is the first half of Precalculus. The only other "college algebras" I know of are abstract algebra, modern algebra, linear algebra, et cetera. Most of those are 300+ level courses, as well.</p>

3

<p>Yes, it is worth it!</p>

<p>IB > AP.</p>

<p>I went to a junior high my freshman year, and I chose to waver into an IB school because of the IB curriculum. It was a big decision for me, but I'm really glad I did it, because the other school has a bad rep for drug problems and pathetic APs. The first three days, I have to say though, were miserable for me. (I cried because I had no friends and was intimidated by a new school!)</p>

<p>Now I have made a ton of friends through IB/other opportunities at that school. Plus, it makes you look good for colleges/elsewhere that you changed schools for a better curriculum.</p>

4

<p>If your current school hasn't yet taught you how to spell "college" then you should definitely switch.</p>

5

<p>I don't know so much about the 'college algebra', I told my counselor I wanted to do a full year of math my senior year and she said just put in college algebra for now. I'd probably just do a math course at a community collage in the area or something. </p>

<p>The thing is though, my current school has a good rep for a good AP program in which I would go further in (subject wise) than the IB program at the other school. All I really care about though is what would be looked upon more favorably by colleges for undergraduate admissions.</p>

6

<p>^^That shouldn't be ALL you care about. If that is the case, then I advise you to shift your priorities before it is too late. Don't take a class/switch schools just because you think it'll look good. Otherwise you'll just dig yourself into a deeper hole. Switch if you sincerely think that you would like a challenging program/want to take those math courses.</p>

<p>PS: Southeast has a point..."collage" is considered to be an art form of arrange photographs/clippings/etc in a manner pleasing to the eye, versus "college" is what we are all trying to get into. Now that you are starting the college process, you might want to get the correct spelling, for future essays/emails to admissions offices.</p>

<p>Good luck in whatever direction you choose to go. :)</p>

7

<p>I don't know which school is best for you, but following are some other considerations to keep in mind. So far as academics go, colleges will judge you on whether you made the most of the opportunities available to you at the school you are attending, whichever one it may be. Consider the impact moving to another school will have on your ECs. If you are interested in top ranked schools they will evaluate those as part of their holistic admissions process. Switching schools could put you at a disadvantage in receiving officer positions, etc. in your activities. If you're carpooling, you are going to have a difficult time participating in after-school activities. Commuting time will cut down on time for studying or activities. It would be helpful to talk to kids in IB at the other school and find out how much time they put into homework. Good luck in making the best decision.</p>

8

<p>This sounds absurd.</p>

<p>You want to SWITCH SCHOOLS just to LOOK BETTER IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS?! Is there something wrong with this picture?</p>

<p>Really, do you want to leave all the friends you've made and the rest of your class behind after 2 years with them? I know I wouldn't.</p>

<p>You said yourself, "my current school has a good rep for a good AP program in which I would go further in." That seems like a good enough reason to stay in your current school. You shouldn't switch just because it's "IB."</p>

<p>You're in a good school now. IB isn't that much better. You would have to leave your friends behind. There would be transportation issues. It's a hassle to switch schools.</p>

<p>Eh, you're choice in the end though I guess. What do your parents think about all this?</p>

9

<p>
[quote]
Unfortunately, the staff and the teachers seem to be incompetent, unsympathetic and make what could be a great school not-so-great.

[/quote]

If this is the case, then I think you ought to switch, IF you know that the staff and teachers at the IB school are much better. Teachers (and administrators, etc) make a huge difference! Not only does having a good teacher mean that you'll enjoy class more, and probably be better prepared for the exams (whether IB or AP) so you can get more college credit, but it also affects your college admissions through recommendations - which are important. A bad teacher can write a good rec, of course, but someone who is "unsympathetic" is probably not as likely to do so as a teacher who truly cares about his/her students. Furthermore, I think it changing schools because you believe you could get a better education in another school would show colleges that you can take initiative and responsobility for your studies as well as caring about getting a good education.</p>

<p>Social-wise, changing schools does not mean you'll lose all your current friends. You can have friends you don't go to school with. And you'll in all likelyhood make new friends at the new school as well. </p>

<p>Lastly, the IB really is an excellent program (if taught by good, knowlegable teachers). CAS is not BS - I assume you're allready doing ECs for college admissions, so CAS should be no problems. The EE is great practice for researching and writing. Writing my EE has made me a MUCH better, more efficient writer. TOK can be fascinating, and helps you in whatever subject you study, in additon to life in general. Sounds a bit stupid, but TOK has changed the way I view the world. The IB forces you to go beyond your comfort limits and excell in many different areas, and in many different ways. In English, for example, you can't just be good at writing BS exam essays. You also need to know how to speak eloquently on both topics you've prepared and on an unseen extract you've only seen for 20 minutes (and then speak about it for 15 minutes!). Since I'm in an excellent IB program I'm perhaps biased, but it can be a fantastic program. If the school you might change to has a good program, then I definintly think it is worth switching.</p>

10

<p>I think that taking IB classes is only more impressive (than taking classes at your current school,) if you get the full diploma. That would mean taking six subjects (a science, math, humanities, english, second language, and elective) for two years, plus TOK, Extended Essay and CAS. The courseload you described will only get you IB certificate--not a diploma.</p>

<p>And I'm a bit confused about your planned IB course. IB courses are two-year long classes...Shouldn't your 11th grade classes be the same as your 12th grade classes?</p>

11

<p>I think this depends mostly on whether you think you will survive the whole IB curriculum and get good scores on all your IB exams and get the diploma. I faced the same situation twice. Once the summer before freshman year and again the end of sophomore year. I ended up staying and taking a lot of APs instead. I think that the IB system is a stronger and harder program, but it's not impressive if you cannot get an IB diploma. AP on the other hand, it's a figure out your portion as you go kind of thing, you can end up taking 10-15 APs and it will be quite impressive. (well, as long as you get 4 or 5 on each test). So it really depends on how you would assess your own chance of getting the IB diploma.</p>

<p>oh and itchytorso, I believe only 3 or 4 courses need to be HL to get a diploma, so the schedules of junior and senior years will not be exactly the same.</p>

12

<p>Aerable, I realize that. However, in order to get a full IB diploma, one must take six (two-year) IB subjects, of which three or four are taken at HL. This means that the IB candidate takes the same six classes for two years. Additionally, one must meet the CAS, EE and TOK requirements (TOK does not count as one of the six subjects.) The course load that the OP described does not meet the requirements for a full IB diploma, and I also doubt that it’s possible to take an IB subject for one just year, as that would only be half a course...The examinations are taken at the end of the second year of IB.</p>

13

<p>About the friends thing, i'd still live in the same location so I would get to see my old friends easily, plus I know enough people at the other school to not be a complete social outcast. But of course it is different, and it is a hassle. </p>

<p>I've met several administrators and the lead IB coordinator at the other school, and they have been very helpful and sympathetic to me, considering that I'm not even part of the school district and all. I think I would really like to shadow at the school before I finally decide, but I don't know if that's possible - i'll see how it goes. But the general impression I get is that the administration is very helpful, and they picked the best teachers of the school to teach the IB classes. The other school also has a weighted GPA scale, which is very good because right now my school is unweighted and my class rank suffers significantly. </p>

<p>As for getting the complete diploma, I don't think it would be too hard for me to get it. I have 3 HL classes (Euro History, Biology and English, though I would really like to take Math HL as well but due to scheduling problems...), and 3 SL classes (Math, French, Physics - elective) + ToK . I don't think ToK and the EE are BS at all, I would really like to take them actually and I heart ToK is a very mind-opening class with the right teacher. CAS just scares me a bit, and my only objection are the 'physical' hours - but I'm sure I could manage it. </p>

<p>Baisically what I really need to know is if I can get my own parking space, and possibly an opportunity to shadow.</p>

14

<p>Ah...I see. The course you just described is different from what you listed above, at least as far as I'm understanding.</p>

<p>Don't worry about the CAS...150 hours really isn't as bad as it sounds. By "physical hours," do you mean the 'Action' part? You only actually need 50 hours of 'Action' over the course of two years.</p>

15

<p>What school are you looking to switch to? Because I am in the IB program at Minnetonka right now.</p>

16

<p>Haha! Are you thinking of switching to Minnetonka High School? I go there currently (and I guess "hooksie" does, too), and would be willing to answer any questions for you. I'm not currently in the IB diploma program (because I do choir/theater and you can't do both music and IB with our awful six period day), but I did take:</p>

<p>-IB Math HL
-IB English HL
-IB Euro HL
-AP Bio (which is taught by the same teacher as IB Bio...and I know people in that class)</p>

<p>and next year I will take IB French SL.</p>

<p>PM me with questions!</p>

17

<p>Oh, hey, I didn't even notice you're Minnesotan! Are you thinking Southwest for IB? What school do you go to now?</p>

18

<p>NO...i'm in IB right now...it is really easy- i have straight As this year and it is a lot of busy work...i think i might transfer out of my school to do dual enrollment at fiu...ib is just kinda gay</p>

19

<p>From personal experience, I urge you to definitely not switch schools. IB is just not worth it. If you work your butt off in IB then all it is going to get you is essentially the same recognition that AP gets you from colleges. So yeah that's great if you really dislike your current school. However, if you don't do particularly amazing in IB, then you not only won't get good grades, but even if you do pass the exams then you won't even get college credit for them.</p>

<p>IB really is not that challenging. The main reason I actually took it was because my IB schedule was so much easier than the AP alternative. In order to do IB you have to give up so much though... the opportunities to take other classes that you might actually be interested in or decide later on that you're interested in, the potential for college credit (don't even try to tell me you think you can get IB credit in college), your friends at your current school, the time to take outside college classes, etc.</p>

<p>I know people are going to argue with me about this, but basically IB is just not worth it until colleges start actually taking notice of what it is, because face it, many colleges do not even know what IB is and even the ones that claim to really like IB candidates can't give too much preference to IB kids just because not everyone has that opportunity so it's pretty much equal to AP.</p>

<p>That ran on a bit and I don't mean to sound bitter, my IB experience has actually been quite fine, I just don't feel that it's worth it and wouldn't go through it again.</p>

20

<p>For me, it wasn't. I went to a junior high so high school didn't really start into 10th grade, when I transfered schools to attend a high school that offered IB. I was in the pre-IB and was miserable at the schoo. I waited until the end of the semester (they wouldn't let me transfer earlier) and went back to my 'home' high school, where I've been perfectly content with AP.
Each person has their own views, but for me it most definitely wasn't worth it.</p>