<p>I'm a junior and wanted to drop IB after the extended essay due date got moved up, because I couldn't handle the schedule. My counselor told me that "being busy isn't a good enough excuse" and that this would seriously hurt my chances of getting into a top school.</p>
<p>As AP and IB classes are combined at my school, I would still be considered as taking the most rigorous classes, just not the most rigorous program. I'm also taking AP physics C independently [along with five other ap tests] this year. (two last year: one 4, one 5). Next year I'm planning 7 also.
SAT scores: Chemistry 800, Chinese 770, MathII 780, Physics 770; taking the SAT I this saturday (psat 226).
Extracurriculars include NJROTC, FBLA, Red Cross, Autism Awareness, music evaluations for piano and violin, volunteering [food bank, library, child care center; 120 hours so far, more coming over the summer] , and an ongoing independent research project [hopefully to compete in intel and/or patent].</p>
<p>I'm in the top decile of my grade; however, there are a lot of students at my school that are pursuing the IB diploma, but many without extracurriculars or fewer classes. How will I compare?</p>
<p>I'm aiming for engineering, so my top choices would be Caltech, Stanford, and Harvey Mudd...
My school is known for its IB program, so will dropping look as bad as my couselor says it will?</p>
<p>you should try berkeley too. the schools you listed are all ridiculously hard to get into – moreso than berkeley. it’s still a top 5 program, and with the stats you’ve posted so far, that would be more of a safer bet.</p>
<p>as for dropping the ib program, since i don’t know if it shows on the transcript or not, i have no idea. but for the most part, APs and ECs are usually enough. our school doesn’t have an IB program but we send like 20 kids to HYPSCM</p>
<p>I’m currently enrolled in the IB diploma, but my school only offers IB so I might as well do the diploma.
I think because your school offers both AP and IB, it would be fine to drop the IB diploma, although I think personally you shouldn’t. After you get through your extended essay, the rest of it is a breeze, and it really does help out later in your life if you have a diploma versus just taking AP classes.</p>
<p>I would stay in full IB. A lot of schools love to see that a student is in the program. Also, schools will compare you to other applicants from your school, and if they are in full IB that could put you at an immediate disadvantage. Just work through it!</p>
<p>I think your school counselor knows what he is talking about and from the point of view of college admissions it would be a better idea to stay in the IB program.</p>
<p>That said, you have to do what is right for you, and if it is right for you to drop the program then that is what you should do. I know that sounds touchy feely but doesn’t it get tiresome making decisions based on what colleges will think?</p>
<p>I also think that Caltech and Harvey Mudd are easier to get into than Stanford and given your absolutely excellent stats you might get into one of them. If you have a preference you might want to go early decision to the one you want to go to most. Fenris is right, everyone should have safety schools.</p>