Did anyone do the IB Diploma program before applying to UM? If so, how did it affect your GPA calculation?
IB is definitely harder than AP, there is so much more to it (IAs, exam, EE, CAS, IOCs, IOPs, I could go on). Your GPA will be lower than an AP GPA, but if you take the IB this will be taken into account. Most people take AP, which is why GPAs are so high. Don’t compare your IB GPA to an AP GPA, and you’ll be fine.
Is 3.5 considered low even for IB, though?
@trobersts
That’s what I had, and I was accepted with a small scholarship. But it depends on the competitiveness of your school. There are IB schools that are easier than most.