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

[Anonymous]

DC is looking at pupil placing into IB next year in FCPS. I would love to hear from IB parents whose kids went through IB recently (are in college), or who are getting ready to apply for college, and who pursued the full diploma. How rigorous was it/ what was the work load like? Is it better for a humanities vs STEM kids, or do you need to be really well rounded? Do you think IB diploma track vs a comparable AP load helped or hurt college admissions? How well did IB prepare them to succeed in college? Would you do it again? Constructive advice (not of the IB is a waste of tax dollars variety) appreciated.

[Anonymous]

quote=Anonymous]DC is looking at pupil placing into IB next year in FCPS. I would love to hear from IB parents whose kids went through IB recently (are in college), or who are getting ready to apply for college, and who pursued the full diploma. How rigorous was it/ what was the work load like? Is it better for a humanities vs STEM kids, or do you need to be really well rounded? Do you think IB diploma track vs a comparable AP load helped or hurt college admissions? How well did IB prepare them to succeed in college? Would you do it again? Constructive advice (not of the IB is a waste of tax dollars variety) appreciated.

We were zoned for an IB school, so DD did the diploma program. The one obvious benefit is that she was used to writing longer papers before she started college, which wasn't the case for some of her classmates. The disadvantages were that there were many requirements and she couldn't take electives that interested her because her course schedule revolved around the mandatory IB courses. It was an intense work load both junior and senior year. She generally found the classes interesting, but sometimes complained that assignments were "busy work."

She struggled on the math portion of the SAT/ACT, so even though she had a good GPA she could not get into U. Va., W&M or Va. Tech. She chose JMU over VCU and GMU. As far as I'm aware, apart from her experience writing papers, she isn't at any special advantage compared to her peers from AP schools (JMU is full of kids from AP and IB schools in NoVa). She is doing fine at school, but not setting the earth on fire.

If we had to do it all over again, we'd probably opt for an AP school, as our younger child is more math/science oriented and has told us he does not want to get an IB diploma. DD would have still taken AP courses at an AP school, just not the advanced math classes, and we wouldn't be worrying about DS's options with no IB diploma.

[Anonymous]

My computer science major son got an IB diploma. He got almost of year of credits at a top VA school. As a math and science kid, primarily, he didn't love all the writing, but he agrees it's helped him in college.

[Anonymous]

Great (and helpful!) responses! PP whose daughter is at JMU (I know some really talented kids who also go there BTW), did DD get the full diploma? Anyway Keep them coming.

[Anonymous]

Are you seeking input specifically for VA HS? Mine did IB but in Maryland.

[Anonymous]

My DD was an average student in an IB school. It became clear early on that she wouldn't be able to do the full diploma load. Still, she was very happy and challenged in her classes.
She is now at a great state college studying a Humanities subject and says that IB prepared her very well for her writing-intensive major.

Kids in her class who did the full diploma were real academic powerhouses and got into great colleges. Most opted for in-state options with merit $$$.

[Anonymous]

OP here: I marked it as a s/o of a war going on on a thread in VA public schools about cost & putting it in poorer FCPS schools. I'd love to to hear from anyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:quote=Anonymous]DC is looking at pupil placing into IB next year in FCPS. I would love to hear from IB parents whose kids went through IB recently (are in college), or who are getting ready to apply for college, and who pursued the full diploma. How rigorous was it/ what was the work load like? Is it better for a humanities vs STEM kids, or do you need to be really well rounded? Do you think IB diploma track vs a comparable AP load helped or hurt college admissions? How well did IB prepare them to succeed in college? Would you do it again? Constructive advice (not of the IB is a waste of tax dollars variety) appreciated.

We were zoned for an IB school, so DD did the diploma program. The one obvious benefit is that she was used to writing longer papers before she started college, which wasn't the case for some of her classmates. The disadvantages were that there were many requirements and she couldn't take electives that interested her because her course schedule revolved around the mandatory IB courses. It was an intense work load both junior and senior year. She generally found the classes interesting, but sometimes complained that assignments were "busy work."

She struggled on the math portion of the SAT/ACT, so even though she had a good GPA she could not get into U. Va., W&M or Va. Tech. She chose JMU over VCU and GMU. As far as I'm aware, apart from her experience writing papers, she isn't at any special advantage compared to her peers from AP schools (JMU is full of kids from AP and IB schools in NoVa). She is doing fine at school, but not setting the earth on fire.

If we had to do it all over again, we'd probably opt for an AP school, as our younger child is more math/science oriented and has told us he does not want to get an IB diploma. DD would have still taken AP courses at an AP school, just not the advanced math classes, and we wouldn't be worrying about DS's options with no IB diploma.

What IB math course did your dad take?

[Anonymous]

MD poster here. I have one son who did IB Diploma and another son who did AP track. For us, IB was far better than AP. While people complaint about lack of flexibility with IB, the structure is designed to teach students will certain skill sets. A lot of reading, a lot of writing, and a lot of analysis (literature, history,..etc) involved. I think it just made him a better student. He is currently working on his engineering PhD program in top STEM college in the country. My younger boy (on AP track) graduated with 10 APs but it lacked rigor that IB offered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MD poster here. I have one son who did IB Diploma and another son who did AP track. For us, IB was far better than AP. While people complaint about lack of flexibility with IB, the structure is designed to teach students will certain skill sets. A lot of reading, a lot of writing, and a lot of analysis (literature, history,..etc) involved. I think it just made him a better student. He is currently working on his engineering PhD program in top STEM college in the country. My younger boy (on AP track) graduated with 10 APs but it lacked rigor that IB offered.

Just an interested poster here, reading this thread with interest. DD has transferred to IB HS and will start there next year as a freshman (Robinson). She's definitely a reading/writing/humanities girl, and an all A student, so she/we think this will be a good fit - but she takes forever to do her work so we worry about the intensity once she gets to the IB courses. I like reading responses like yours, PP - comparing IB to AP. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.

[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)?

[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.

They're also one of the only counties in the world that still has half day kindergarten. They definitely don't base these decisions on best practices.