Does it look bad to not do the IB diploma at an IB school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As others have said, IB diploma requires a TON of writing. My child wrote a 4000 word paper for the Extended Essay and an Internal Assessment essay of ~2-3000 words for each 2-yr subject. The IB exams require writing as well. I feel like my kid got a really solid education at our neighborhood school with an IB diploma and they were accepted ED to their first choice college, a highly competitive school that accepted 12% of applicants. However, high school was a slog. I don’t think my kid would redo it if they could. They decided to do the full diploma they were forecasting for 11th grade and realized how close they were to meeting the credit requirements (due to starting high school in Algebra 3-4 and Spanish 3-4; some schools don’t offer higher level classes that aren’t IB. The AP classes that my second child is taking are far less rigorous, require less writing and a lot less critical thinking.

Kids in the IB diploma program this year are attending an impressive array of ivies and top universities, and are very bright kids, but they are tired.

Your kid will do "a TON of writing" in college - right? - so your kid might as well get used to it now. I'm pretty sure I did even more than one 3,000 to 5,000 word paper per class in college. The IB experience might make college less stressful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, it seems like this thread has concluded that it’s better for even a future STEM major to take IB, even if that means IB AI Math SL, than AP Calculus BC.

Can that possibly be correct?

This thread hasn't concluded that at all. If you are a STEM major in an IB school, you should certainly take IB HL math. And you won't have the option to take AP math if you're in an IB school.

In an ideal world, sure. But this is the exact dilemma my child faces: an IB Diploma, but with the lowest level IB math course (applications and interpretation SL), or an AP program that would go through AP Calculus BC. For a kid whose favorite subject is math, it’s got to be AP, right? Despite all the benefits of the IBD. AP Precalc/AP Calc BC, with AP Stats as a senior elective, is just a much, much stronger two-year math program than IB applications & interpretations SL. For a math student to pick the IB course, from among those two options, would be the opposite of challenging themselves.

Don't understand why your kid can't take the Math HL course. You get to choose your HL courses.

My high school does not offer an HL course to students like mine who are taking algebra 2 in 10th. The HL sequence is three years long, with an AP year sandwiched in the middle (because while you seem to think IB HL is the same as AP, our high school math and/or college counseling department apparently does not). This works fine for families that plan 6 years ahead, but there was a pandemic and we moved, so here we are.

[Anonymous]

All the top public schools in the region are AP. IB is the consolation prize for being assigned to a lower-performing school.

RMIB is the only good IB program in the DC region. The rest are a bit of a farce.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the top public schools in the region are AP. IB is the consolation prize for being assigned to a lower-performing school.

RMIB is the only good IB program in the DC region. The rest are a bit of a farce.

How are they a farce?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, it seems like this thread has concluded that it’s better for even a future STEM major to take IB, even if that means IB AI Math SL, than AP Calculus BC.

Can that possibly be correct?

This thread hasn't concluded that at all. If you are a STEM major in an IB school, you should certainly take IB HL math. And you won't have the option to take AP math if you're in an IB school.

Actually, many IB schools offer AP math. In fact, every single math pathway at RMIB that includes IB HL Math also includes an AP math course. And not every IB school offers HL math, or offers HL math to all students. A sophomore taking algebra 2 at RMIB, for example, can only take SL math.

This. My RMIB junior is taking iB Sl which is equivalent to AP calc AB and she will take the exam then take calc BC as a senior.
Can the pP the said some colleges really love IB point to any source that shows which colleges do? We are totally at sea looking at college options. Thanks.

Can you clarify what your daughter is doing: SL junior year and then AP Calc BC as senior? Please explain. Thanks!

DP.. my senior's math path:

11th grade AP B/C calc
12th grade IB math (labeled as Analysis Statistics Calculus) and IB MVC

HL in physics:
11th grade IB physics 1
12th grade IB physics 2

A lot of the RMIB students took the AP exams without necessarily taking the AP classes. They just self study. DC took AP physics exam last year. DC will take IB physics exam (HL) this year.

See this kind of behavior makes me wonder how AOs really view IB. How necessary is it to have actual AP scores to validate the projected IB scores?

Mine is taking the AP tests purely for the college credit. At some big schools, if you have enough credit they will treat you as a sophomore or junior, which makes it much easier to register for classes and so forth. And also sort of why not—she’s already studying for the IB test and the AP is very similar so might as well just sit for another few hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the top public schools in the region are AP. IB is the consolation prize for being assigned to a lower-performing school.

RMIB is the only good IB program in the DC region. The rest are a bit of a farce.

A ridiculous and totally implausible claim. If your kid went to RMIB then you have no idea how IB is taught at the other schools. Moreover, all IB schools have to meet and maintain a common set of standards and practices and a common coherent curriculum set by the IBO, so the IB programs at different schools are simply not going to be very different from each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, it seems like this thread has concluded that it’s better for even a future STEM major to take IB, even if that means IB AI Math SL, than AP Calculus BC.

Can that possibly be correct?

This thread hasn't concluded that at all. If you are a STEM major in an IB school, you should certainly take IB HL math. And you won't have the option to take AP math if you're in an IB school.

Actually, many IB schools offer AP math. In fact, every single math pathway at RMIB that includes IB HL Math also includes an AP math course. And not every IB school offers HL math, or offers HL math to all students. A sophomore taking algebra 2 at RMIB, for example, can only take SL math.

This. My RMIB junior is taking iB Sl which is equivalent to AP calc AB and she will take the exam then take calc BC as a senior.
Can the pP the said some colleges really love IB point to any source that shows which colleges do? We are totally at sea looking at college options. Thanks.

Can you clarify what your daughter is doing: SL junior year and then AP Calc BC as senior? Please explain. Thanks!

DP.. my senior's math path:

11th grade AP B/C calc
12th grade IB math (labeled as Analysis Statistics Calculus) and IB MVC

HL in physics:
11th grade IB physics 1
12th grade IB physics 2

A lot of the RMIB students took the AP exams without necessarily taking the AP classes. They just self study. DC took AP physics exam last year. DC will take IB physics exam (HL) this year.

See this kind of behavior makes me wonder how AOs really view IB. How necessary is it to have actual AP scores to validate the projected IB scores?

AP scores don't "validate" IB scores. If you look at schools that award course credit, IB and AP are considered totally separate. UVA, for example, will give credits towards Math 1310 for good scores on either the AP BC test or the IB math test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the top public schools in the region are AP. IB is the consolation prize for being assigned to a lower-performing school.

RMIB is the only good IB program in the DC region. The rest are a bit of a farce.

All MCPS IB programs are the same and overseen in the same way. Only the teachers are different. BCC and RM have excellent IB teachers so I think you are mistaken.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS wants to take AP math classes instead of doing the IB diploma at Robinson. He has to decide next year. He's not great at writing, and there is a lot of writing for the IB, or so it seems. Thoughts as to how it will affect a VT application if he just takes AP classes and doesn't get an IB diploma? It seems like most kids do the IB.

If dream schools are in Canada, the UK or outside the US where high school is more rigorous and laborious than the US, then do the full IB Diploma program. DS will need a composite score that includes exam grades, 2-year courses in 6 areas with extra essays/work in a minimum of 3 High-Level classes, introductory philosophy (called ToK), "creativity, activity, community service" requirements with yet another essay.

For US colleges, skip IB and load up on as many AP courses as possible. AP is less work than IB. (I'll die on that hill.) The number of AP classes matters to impress admissions. AP exam score results - whether you take the class or not - matter for placement and credits after you've been accepted. Caveat: Each college/major has it's own policy for how much credit or requirements can be fulfilled by AP exams of a minimum 4 or 5.

In a nutshell, work hard AND smart. Have him play to his strengths when it comes to rigor. Aim for courses in topics DS really likes or feels confident they could do well enough to earn credit and shave off some time and money from college.

[Anonymous]

TBH, most of the people I know who have gone to college in Canada recently have done it on APs, including both Canadian citizens who always knew they were headed to Canada and American citizens who decided late in the process to go to a Canadian school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS wants to take AP math classes instead of doing the IB diploma at Robinson. He has to decide next year. He's not great at writing, and there is a lot of writing for the IB, or so it seems. Thoughts as to how it will affect a VT application if he just takes AP classes and doesn't get an IB diploma? It seems like most kids do the IB.

FYI Robinson is not offering any AP classes starting next year. AP calculus will not be an option, he will have to take IB math or dual enroll at NVCC or take calculus through the online campus if he doesn't want IB math.

There are a lot of changes in the pipeline. All details will be provided in January/February when course selection starts.

What will kids who took IB math in 10th grade take for their senior year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kind of a tangent, but some colleges love the IB diploma and favor applicants who are IB diploma candidates. The U California system gives a big bump, and so do UChicago and many top LACs.

Nah... Success on APs will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS wants to take AP math classes instead of doing the IB diploma at Robinson. He has to decide next year. He's not great at writing, and there is a lot of writing for the IB, or so it seems. Thoughts as to how it will affect a VT application if he just takes AP classes and doesn't get an IB diploma? It seems like most kids do the IB.

If dream schools are in Canada, the UK or outside the US where high school is more rigorous and laborious than the US, then do the full IB Diploma program. DS will need a composite score that includes exam grades, 2-year courses in 6 areas with extra essays/work in a minimum of 3 High-Level classes, introductory philosophy (called ToK), "creativity, activity, community service" requirements with yet another essay.

For US colleges, skip IB and load up on as many AP courses as possible. AP is less work than IB. (I'll die on that hill.) The number of AP classes matters to impress admissions. AP exam score results - whether you take the class or not - matter for placement and credits after you've been accepted. Caveat: Each college/major has it's own policy for how much credit or requirements can be fulfilled by AP exams of a minimum 4 or 5.

In a nutshell, work hard AND smart. Have him play to his strengths when it comes to rigor. Aim for courses in topics DS really likes or feels confident they could do well enough to earn credit and shave off some time and money from college.

Scoring well on APs is fine for admission in the UK. I won't even address the other comments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, it seems like this thread has concluded that it’s better for even a future STEM major to take IB, even if that means IB AI Math SL, than AP Calculus BC.

Can that possibly be correct?

This thread hasn't concluded that at all. If you are a STEM major in an IB school, you should certainly take IB HL math. And you won't have the option to take AP math if you're in an IB school.

That isn't necessarily true, actually. My 2022 IB grad from W-L took AP Calc AB as a junior. His friend took AP Calc BC as a junior. Both still had to take an IB Math class as seniors

We are in Robinson - has some AP and also IB. Why did both kids have to take IB math as seniors?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS wants to take AP math classes instead of doing the IB diploma at Robinson. He has to decide next year. He's not great at writing, and there is a lot of writing for the IB, or so it seems. Thoughts as to how it will affect a VT application if he just takes AP classes and doesn't get an IB diploma? It seems like most kids do the IB.

FYI Robinson is not offering any AP classes starting next year. AP calculus will not be an option, he will have to take IB math or dual enroll at NVCC or take calculus through the online campus if he doesn't want IB math.

There are a lot of changes in the pipeline. All details will be provided in January/February when course selection starts.

How do you know this?? We live in the pyramid and haven't heard anything about it. We really don't want IB. Who made this change and why? From what we've heard, the community would much prefer AP, so why would they get rid of IB, and was there even any community input?