IB - Real world opinions/feedback

[Anonymous]

Any perspective on whether its really worth it - child will need to decide next year. Overall the student is definitely capable although I wouldn't consider writing a strength. Based on some research.

Pros

Definitely shows maximum rigor at school we are at.
Preparedness for college.

Cons

Pretty intensive work and stress - is that worth the value which may be somewhat limited
Writing and humanities focus for more math/science oriented child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any perspective on whether its really worth it - child will need to decide next year. Overall the student is definitely capable although I wouldn't consider writing a strength. Based on some research.

Pros

Definitely shows maximum rigor at school we are at.
Preparedness for college.

Cons

Pretty intensive work and stress - is that worth the value which may be somewhat limited
Writing and humanities focus for more math/science oriented child.

My kids went to RM/IB. Your con 1 is really not a con for some kids. You know your child. If your kid cannot handle the stress, IB is not for your kid. Your con 2 is also not a con. If she is weak writer, HS is the right place to address that weakness. Don't focus too much on college admission. Look beyond that.

[Anonymous]

I have seen the comment before that BCC’s IB is a waste of time and I disagree.

That said what gives me pause is you saying your kid is science focused. I am not sure IB is great for science because the higher level classes are 2 years and the whole “depth vs breadth” thing (to the extentyou think IB is successful at that) seems to fit better for humanities.

[Anonymous]

the additional time commuting to/from the new school should be part of your equation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:the additional time commuting to/from the new school should be part of your equation.

OP hasn't specified if she's talking about an IB magnet or IB available at the home school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any perspective on whether its really worth it - child will need to decide next year. Overall the student is definitely capable although I wouldn't consider writing a strength. Based on some research.

Pros

Definitely shows maximum rigor at school we are at.
Preparedness for college.

Cons

Pretty intensive work and stress - is that worth the value which may be somewhat limited
Writing and humanities focus for more math/science oriented child.

My daughter is a rising senior in a top engineering college getting her BA in Aerospace Engineering and you would be surprised how much they have to write reports, proposals, follow-ups, studies, articles etc... She knew how to do this because she went to private school and was very much focused on. Tons of written papers that were critiqued by hand, partially graded, returned, edited, and redone for final grade. This was the MOST important thing she needed in her college. Most of the public school students can not write. Not just in MCPS but all across the country. Professors calling out students full blast and some of these math/science kids can not understand how they are now struggling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It depends where they do it. BCC - total waste of time, RMIB used to be prestigious but has gone down the tubes.

Lycee Rochambeau - probably your best bet

Oh, hey! More private school recruiting!

Well my own kids go to Whitman, that's just my opinion on the IB opportunities locally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It depends where they do it. BCC - total waste of time, RMIB used to be prestigious but has gone down the tubes.

Lycee Rochambeau - probably your best bet

Oh, hey! More private school recruiting!

Well my own kids go to Whitman, that's just my opinion on the IB opportunities locally.

So you really have no basis for the statement.

[Anonymous]

Per my RMIB kid, it's a ton of work, but not particularly hard. DC is thinking it may not be worth it for a lot of kids, and is telling their younger sibling to not do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Per my RMIB kid, it's a ton of work, but not particularly hard. DC is thinking it may not be worth it for a lot of kids, and is telling their younger sibling to not do it.

I have a kid starting the RMIB next year. Why does your DC not recommend it for his/her younger sibling? We debated about it a ton, and are not sure how much it will be worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Per my RMIB kid, it's a ton of work, but not particularly hard. DC is thinking it may not be worth it for a lot of kids, and is telling their younger sibling to not do it.

I have a kid starting the RMIB next year. Why does your DC not recommend it for his/her younger sibling? We debated about it a ton, and are not sure how much it will be worth it.

For our kids it was worth it - after undergrad at umd, one got PhD in engineering from MIT and second one is in t-20 medical school. Yes it’s not easy but if your child is capable, I’d strongly recommend it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It depends where they do it. BCC - total waste of time, RMIB used to be prestigious but has gone down the tubes.

Lycee Rochambeau - probably your best bet

Oh, hey! More private school recruiting!

Yep so laughable too

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Per my RMIB kid, it's a ton of work, but not particularly hard. DC is thinking it may not be worth it for a lot of kids, and is telling their younger sibling to not do it.

I have a kid starting the RMIB next year. Why does your DC not recommend it for his/her younger sibling? We debated about it a ton, and are not sure how much it will be worth it.

For our kids it was worth it - after undergrad at umd, one got PhD in engineering from MIT and second one is in t-20 medical school. Yes it’s not easy but if your child is capable, I’d strongly recommend it

But you can easily get into UMD without IB. Tons of MCPS students go to UMD. So what was the point of all the work for IB? It didn't get her into MIT and med school. UMD did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any perspective on whether its really worth it - child will need to decide next year. Overall the student is definitely capable although I wouldn't consider writing a strength. Based on some research.

Pros

Definitely shows maximum rigor at school we are at.
Preparedness for college.

Cons

Pretty intensive work and stress - is that worth the value which may be somewhat limited
Writing and humanities focus for more math/science oriented child.

IB is hjunk - a lot of work for nothing. That's the summary of pros and cons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Per my RMIB kid, it's a ton of work, but not particularly hard. DC is thinking it may not be worth it for a lot of kids, and is telling their younger sibling to not do it.

I have a kid starting the RMIB next year. Why does your DC not recommend it for his/her younger sibling? We debated about it a ton, and are not sure how much it will be worth it.

For our kids it was worth it - after undergrad at umd, one got PhD in engineering from MIT and second one is in t-20 medical school. Yes it’s not easy but if your child is capable, I’d strongly recommend it

But you can easily get into UMD without IB. Tons of MCPS students go to UMD. So what was the point of all the work for IB? It didn't get her into MIT and med school. UMD did.

If you only are thinking of it as a ticket to one college or another then it is not worth it. If you are interested in an education standard beyond the one MCPS provides especially in terms of writing, then you should consider it.