S/o (VA public schools). IB and college preparedness

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Honestly, I had two kids one of whom did IB and one who didn't. Both kids got intensive SAT/ACT prep. From an admissions perspective, the AP kid did way, way better (full ride at a great school, think Northwestern, Vandy, etc). My other kid didn't do as well admissions wise (goes to Tech - not engineering), but is doing well and seems to enjoy college. The AP kid got more credits and was able to do an intensive activity (which was the hook that got him into a great school). The IB kid was more frustrated in school and didn't have a ton of free time. His GPA was lower due to the difficulty in grading. That sort of sunk his chance to get merit money or shoot higher. Both are fine students now in college. I feel like we did a decent job with them.

I strongly recommend against the IB program unless your kid really wants it. The pay off just wasn't there.


MD poster here again - I find your post interesting that it was exactly opposite of ours. How was IB grading more difficult than AP? Not sure I understand what that you mean. Are you referring to IB exams grading (HL vs SL) or course grading (e.g., tests, quiz, HW)?

I actually think it was the teachers and their training, maybe? I remember during orientations and conferences, the IB teachers all made it clear they had a strong line on grade inflation. The AP teachers didn't and seemed to focus more on passing the exam and doing whatever skills they need to accomplish that. I read my kids papers and they are pretty similar in terms of performance. My IB kid got a lot of B's and C+'s. Even with the additional point, it hurt him. The AP classes seemed to easier in terms of getting that A and extra GPA point. The lower grades pushed my younger kid. The easier grades (which still required some work of course), made my older kid less stressed and gave him room to do other things, like the activity that was an awesome college hook. YMMV

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting that Loudoun County is the richest county in the United States, and it does not have a single IB high school.

Fascinating, just fascinating.

So? What's so fascinating about that?

Rich people know better? Is that your point?

[Anonymous]

MD poster here again - I find your post interesting that it was exactly opposite of ours. How was IB grading more difficult than AP? Not sure I understand what that you mean. Are you referring to IB exams grading (HL vs SL) or course grading (e.g., tests, quiz, HW)?

Just possible that both of you are basing opinions with different kids. For example, my kids both did AP. The experience was very different because the kids were very different. It's not rocket science.

FWIW, both my kids had roommates who graduated from IB schools. I know that one had the IB diploma, and I think the other did, as well. (For sure, took IB courses) Both of the roommates felt that they would have been better off in AP schools. They felt they did not have the same options--and they certainly did not get the same credits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

MD poster here again - I find your post interesting that it was exactly opposite of ours. How was IB grading more difficult than AP? Not sure I understand what that you mean. Are you referring to IB exams grading (HL vs SL) or course grading (e.g., tests, quiz, HW)?

Just possible that both of you are basing opinions with different kids. For example, my kids both did AP. The experience was very different because the kids were very different. It's not rocket science.

FWIW, both my kids had roommates who graduated from IB schools. I know that one had the IB diploma, and I think the other did, as well. (For sure, took IB courses) Both of the roommates felt that they would have been better off in AP schools. They felt they did not have the same options--and they certainly did not get the same credits.

I agree. This is exactly why we didn't push IB on our younger son. We felt he would have struggled too much with IB curriculum. He managed 10 APs just fine (and doing fine in college). I guess the lesson here is "know your kids".

@15:25 - Thanks! Interesting to hear different experiences.

[Anonymous]

Anyone know if the FFX IB schools are equally tough on grading?

[Anonymous]

My dd did AAP in elementary and middle school with Bs in math and As in everything else. So far, she has done the same in IB her junior year.

[Anonymous]

Anyone know if the FFX IB schools are equally tough on grading?

I was the upthread poster with an AP and IB kid. In my experience, yes. The IB school had tougher grading.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anyone know if the FFX IB schools are equally tough on grading?

I was the upthread poster with an AP and IB kid. In my experience, yes. The IB school had tougher grading.

This might be school specific or teacher specific. Ask for grading policy for whichever school your DC plans to attend.

[Anonymous]

But AP lets you be great at some things and only OK at other things, right? Whereas IB you have to be great at everything?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But AP lets you be great at some things and only OK at other things, right? Whereas IB you have to be great at everything?

Check out this thread for AP vs IP discussion.

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/480121.page

[Anonymous]

^ AP vs IB

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But AP lets you be great at some things and only OK at other things, right? Whereas IB you have to be great at everything?

IB is essentially like taking two full years of AP only courses. A student who could handle AP in every subject would be able to handle the full IB diploma. However, just like with AP, the student can pick and choose some IB courses without going for the full diploma.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone know if the FFX IB schools are equally tough on grading?

depends on the teacher.

[Anonymous]

Why is IB only at the lower-SES high schools? That alone makes me suspicious of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is IB only at the lower-SES high schools? That alone makes me suspicious of it.

Not sure I would label Bethesda-Chevy Chase HS lower-SES school.