AP, DE, or IB?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They all have find their niche and face unique challenges.

AP is the known quantity, the baseline to compare everything against. It’s most recognized easiest to get college credit etc. their latest. Some of the classes feel like a filler, Human Geography, environmental science. There’s also a tier of not quite college classes I’d add to this AP physics 1 and 2, maybe AP statistics. Their latest course AP precalculus was not received too well.

DE is publicly funded but enrollment is trending down, they see high school student enrollment as a way to bolster their numbers so they market aggressively. I actually like what I read about the early college program. Some people look down at DE, and you may not get the credit for out of state transfer, but usually guaranteed at in state institutions. In general they seem to be easier than AP in terms of content and grading when you compare the difficult classes: calculus, chemistry, English, foreign language. You can get a college AA degree before finishing high school, which is a tangible accomplishment.

IB niche is the package deal, kind of like integrated math but it’s across two years and six subjects and they put a lot of emphasis on writing. I think it’s great for students needing more guidance and attention as opposed to the sink or swim approach. You can get a diploma in the end as a recognition if you take the class exams. I’m not aware of it being considered as a formal degree like AA, although it may be the case at some lower ranked colleges.

They are all fine, probably it’s more important to focus on the fit and student interest before deciding.

Is there a value to the IB diploma except for some kind of proof of challenging coursework, and good scores, ie bragging rights? I guess they are all for bragging rights, but can you brag more for some of them lol? In other words, what’s going to impress colleges more?

Not much value besides the bragging rights. Some people say IB is a lot of busy work. I wouldn’t call it exactly busy work, but there’s a lot of effort in the diploma, writing assignments, volunteering that doesn’t translate into a tangible academic outcome. The diploma certifies that the work was done, but it doesn’t look as impressive as the kid with a ton of APs classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it hard to believe that an A in a DE class at some local community college is worth a whole lot to college admissions counselors. Is that really the case?

+1. I’ve never heard of a kid doing well in college admission on the back of DE enrollment alone, but many do well with AP classes only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They all have find their niche and face unique challenges.

AP is the known quantity, the baseline to compare everything against. It’s most recognized easiest to get college credit etc. their latest. Some of the classes feel like a filler, Human Geography, environmental science. There’s also a tier of not quite college classes I’d add to this AP physics 1 and 2, maybe AP statistics. Their latest course AP precalculus was not received too well.

DE is publicly funded but enrollment is trending down, they see high school student enrollment as a way to bolster their numbers so they market aggressively. I actually like what I read about the early college program. Some people look down at DE, and you may not get the credit for out of state transfer, but usually guaranteed at in state institutions. In general they seem to be easier than AP in terms of content and grading when you compare the difficult classes: calculus, chemistry, English, foreign language. You can get a college AA degree before finishing high school, which is a tangible accomplishment.

IB niche is the package deal, kind of like integrated math but it’s across two years and six subjects and they put a lot of emphasis on writing. I think it’s great for students needing more guidance and attention as opposed to the sink or swim approach. You can get a diploma in the end as a recognition if you take the class exams. I’m not aware of it being considered as a formal degree like AA, although it may be the case at some lower ranked colleges.

They are all fine, probably it’s more important to focus on the fit and student interest before deciding.

Is there a value to the IB diploma except for some kind of proof of challenging coursework, and good scores, ie bragging rights? I guess they are all for bragging rights, but can you brag more for some of them lol? In other words, what’s going to impress colleges more?

Not much value besides the bragging rights. Some people say IB is a lot of busy work. I wouldn’t call it exactly busy work, but there’s a lot of effort in the diploma, writing assignments, volunteering that doesn’t translate into a tangible academic outcome. The diploma certifies that the work was done, but it doesn’t look as impressive as the kid with a ton of APs classes.

Doesn't look as impressive to whom?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks for the answers. Since it’s admissions season, posters please comment on where you see the more impressive outcomes.

By "more impressive outcomes," do you mean "admitted to expensive colleges with low acceptance percentages"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks for the answers. Since it’s admissions season, posters please comment on where you see the more impressive outcomes.

By "more impressive outcomes," do you mean "admitted to expensive colleges with low acceptance percentages"?

Yes, pretty much! lol. HYPSM and beyond, let’s say Top 25. I only have one kid, I can afford to reluctantly pay the hefty bill .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They all have find their niche and face unique challenges.

AP is the known quantity, the baseline to compare everything against. It’s most recognized easiest to get college credit etc. their latest. Some of the classes feel like a filler, Human Geography, environmental science. There’s also a tier of not quite college classes I’d add to this AP physics 1 and 2, maybe AP statistics. Their latest course AP precalculus was not received too well.

DE is publicly funded but enrollment is trending down, they see high school student enrollment as a way to bolster their numbers so they market aggressively. I actually like what I read about the early college program. Some people look down at DE, and you may not get the credit for out of state transfer, but usually guaranteed at in state institutions. In general they seem to be easier than AP in terms of content and grading when you compare the difficult classes: calculus, chemistry, English, foreign language. You can get a college AA degree before finishing high school, which is a tangible accomplishment.

IB niche is the package deal, kind of like integrated math but it’s across two years and six subjects and they put a lot of emphasis on writing. I think it’s great for students needing more guidance and attention as opposed to the sink or swim approach. You can get a diploma in the end as a recognition if you take the class exams. I’m not aware of it being considered as a formal degree like AA, although it may be the case at some lower ranked colleges.

They are all fine, probably it’s more important to focus on the fit and student interest before deciding.

Is there a value to the IB diploma except for some kind of proof of challenging coursework, and good scores, ie bragging rights? I guess they are all for bragging rights, but can you brag more for some of them lol? In other words, what’s going to impress colleges more?

Not much value besides the bragging rights. Some people say IB is a lot of busy work. I wouldn’t call it exactly busy work, but there’s a lot of effort in the diploma, writing assignments, volunteering that doesn’t translate into a tangible academic outcome. The diploma certifies that the work was done, but it doesn’t look as impressive as the kid with a ton of APs classes.

Doesn't look as impressive to whom?

It doesn’t look as impressive to me. Let’s be real here, what looks better on a college application, an IB Diploma or 6 additional APs? I’ll take the APs any day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They all have find their niche and face unique challenges.

AP is the known quantity, the baseline to compare everything against. It’s most recognized easiest to get college credit etc. their latest. Some of the classes feel like a filler, Human Geography, environmental science. There’s also a tier of not quite college classes I’d add to this AP physics 1 and 2, maybe AP statistics. Their latest course AP precalculus was not received too well.

DE is publicly funded but enrollment is trending down, they see high school student enrollment as a way to bolster their numbers so they market aggressively. I actually like what I read about the early college program. Some people look down at DE, and you may not get the credit for out of state transfer, but usually guaranteed at in state institutions. In general they seem to be easier than AP in terms of content and grading when you compare the difficult classes: calculus, chemistry, English, foreign language. You can get a college AA degree before finishing high school, which is a tangible accomplishment.

IB niche is the package deal, kind of like integrated math but it’s across two years and six subjects and they put a lot of emphasis on writing. I think it’s great for students needing more guidance and attention as opposed to the sink or swim approach. You can get a diploma in the end as a recognition if you take the class exams. I’m not aware of it being considered as a formal degree like AA, although it may be the case at some lower ranked colleges.

They are all fine, probably it’s more important to focus on the fit and student interest before deciding.

Is there a value to the IB diploma except for some kind of proof of challenging coursework, and good scores, ie bragging rights? I guess they are all for bragging rights, but can you brag more for some of them lol? In other words, what’s going to impress colleges more?

Not much value besides the bragging rights. Some people say IB is a lot of busy work. I wouldn’t call it exactly busy work, but there’s a lot of effort in the diploma, writing assignments, volunteering that doesn’t translate into a tangible academic outcome. The diploma certifies that the work was done, but it doesn’t look as impressive as the kid with a ton of APs classes.

Doesn't look as impressive to whom?

It doesn’t look as impressive to me. Let’s be real here, what looks better on a college application, an IB Diploma or 6 additional APs? I’ll take the APs any day.

+1.

What’s the actual value of the IB Diploma, it’s a piece of paper for bragging rights as a previous poster put it very eloquently.

In all seriousness, you can put an actual monetary value on the credits AP and DE classes can save in tuition towards the same undergrad degree. You can get credits from the IB HL classes too, but the diploma, eeeerh, shrug.

[Anonymous]

In my opinion if you are looking to join the lottery of people trying to get into a t25, do AP. Rocking the boat seems to have no payoff.

If you want your kid to learn well and experience challenges that make sense for them, do what makes sense for them.

Our DD is doing early college and she’s going to get significantly farther in math than she could via AP. If a college doesn’t appreciate that she wanted to challenge herself in that way, then they are probably not the kind of place she’d want to attend. Which is ok. Kids should get the education that gets them where they want to go. And there are lots of different pathways that can make sense for smart kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my opinion if you are looking to join the lottery of people trying to get into a t25, do AP. Rocking the boat seems to have no payoff.

If you want your kid to learn well and experience challenges that make sense for them, do what makes sense for them.

Our DD is doing early college and she’s going to get significantly farther in math than she could via AP. If a college doesn’t appreciate that she wanted to challenge herself in that way, then they are probably not the kind of place she’d want to attend. Which is ok. Kids should get the education that gets them where they want to go. And there are lots of different pathways that can make sense for smart kids.

Can you detail what her math path is? Curious on why she couldn’t take any APs at her high school before doing early college.

I agree with you that for a student that knows what they are interested in, DE is better than anything else in taking advanced coursework in that area of specialization. Classes are semester only, there also the summer semester, much more diversified course offerings.

On the other hand Top25 can help land jobs later on, they have rigorous programs, there is some value to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They all have find their niche and face unique challenges.

AP is the known quantity, the baseline to compare everything against. It’s most recognized easiest to get college credit etc. their latest. Some of the classes feel like a filler, Human Geography, environmental science. There’s also a tier of not quite college classes I’d add to this AP physics 1 and 2, maybe AP statistics. Their latest course AP precalculus was not received too well.

DE is publicly funded but enrollment is trending down, they see high school student enrollment as a way to bolster their numbers so they market aggressively. I actually like what I read about the early college program. Some people look down at DE, and you may not get the credit for out of state transfer, but usually guaranteed at in state institutions. In general they seem to be easier than AP in terms of content and grading when you compare the difficult classes: calculus, chemistry, English, foreign language. You can get a college AA degree before finishing high school, which is a tangible accomplishment.

IB niche is the package deal, kind of like integrated math but it’s across two years and six subjects and they put a lot of emphasis on writing. I think it’s great for students needing more guidance and attention as opposed to the sink or swim approach. You can get a diploma in the end as a recognition if you take the class exams. I’m not aware of it being considered as a formal degree like AA, although it may be the case at some lower ranked colleges.

They are all fine, probably it’s more important to focus on the fit and student interest before deciding.

Is there a value to the IB diploma except for some kind of proof of challenging coursework, and good scores, ie bragging rights? I guess they are all for bragging rights, but can you brag more for some of them lol? In other words, what’s going to impress colleges more?

Not much value besides the bragging rights. Some people say IB is a lot of busy work. I wouldn’t call it exactly busy work, but there’s a lot of effort in the diploma, writing assignments, volunteering that doesn’t translate into a tangible academic outcome. The diploma certifies that the work was done, but it doesn’t look as impressive as the kid with a ton of APs classes.

Doesn't look as impressive to whom?

It doesn’t look as impressive to me. Let’s be real here, what looks better on a college application, an IB Diploma or 6 additional APs? I’ll take the APs any day.

+1.

What’s the actual value of the IB Diploma, it’s a piece of paper for bragging rights as a previous poster put it very eloquently.

In all seriousness, you can put an actual monetary value on the credits AP and DE classes can save in tuition towards the same undergrad degree. You can get credits from the IB HL classes too, but the diploma, eeeerh, shrug.

Whenever people compare AP and IB, inevitably AP wins on number of courses and the IB people come back with, “we also have a diploma!” Whoopty freaking doo, good for you! Couldn’t care less!

[Anonymous]

AP: popular kids friends with everyone, good at everything
DE: nerdy and poor kids, really driven so you know they’ll make it one day
IB: emo and goth kids in the corner of the cafeteria, only talk among themselves

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AP: popular kids friends with everyone, good at everything
DE: nerdy and poor kids, really driven so you know they’ll make it one day
IB: emo and goth kids in the corner of the cafeteria, only talk among themselves

[Anonymous]

IB students do better in college. AP has comically low standards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IB students do better in college. AP has comically low standards.

It didn’t take long to turn into a pissing contest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my opinion if you are looking to join the lottery of people trying to get into a t25, do AP. Rocking the boat seems to have no payoff.

If you want your kid to learn well and experience challenges that make sense for them, do what makes sense for them.

Our DD is doing early college and she’s going to get significantly farther in math than she could via AP. If a college doesn’t appreciate that she wanted to challenge herself in that way, then they are probably not the kind of place she’d want to attend. Which is ok. Kids should get the education that gets them where they want to go. And there are lots of different pathways that can make sense for smart kids.

Can you detail what her math path is? Curious on why she couldn’t take any APs at her high school before doing early college.

I agree with you that for a student that knows what they are interested in, DE is better than anything else in taking advanced coursework in that area of specialization. Classes are semester only, there also the summer semester, much more diversified course offerings.

On the other hand Top25 can help land jobs later on, they have rigorous programs, there is some value to it.

She could do AP calc and AP stats but then she would need to move to DE for multivariable Calc, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, etc. Those are not available via AP. Doing early college gives her an option to also do her corresponding English, social studies, and science classes at the college level while developing the appropriate habits for college classes (each test counts, more independence, etc). For her that makes sense and sets her up well for college whether the credits transfer or not. Don’t assume she is an intellectual slouch. She was in a magnet for middle school, consistently scores in the 99th percentile for both math and reading, and has won national academic competitions.

Lots of parents will tell you that DE doesn’t make sense for their kid and that is totally fine. Not everything makes sense for every kid. That doesn’t make it bad, it just makes it not right for every kid.