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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]DD is STEM focused and wants to go into math or engineering. Looking at the IB curriculum, it seems very heavy on humanities, so she is declining full IB. If anyone can correct me or fill me in, TIA.[/quote]

IB is great for lab sciences--a lot more lab-work than AP--and more like college labs than canned labs.  But I wouldn't say it's particularly strong for engineering. IB Physics is a very good course.  IB used to have the hardest HS math class (harder than AP Calc BC), but they no longer offer it--I think the current HL course is kind of like combining AP Calc AB and BC, but throwing in some topography and linear algebra and not covering everything in BC--but I can't remember for certain.  It doesn't precisely align with the US way of teaching math--it's more integrative.
Doing IB does involve a lot of writing though--so if your DD doesn't enjoy writing, it might be a struggle.  But on the other hand college involves a lot of writing--even for STEM majors, so it's good preparation. [/quote]

Thanks, I'm the PP. she has been led to believe that she is limited in the number of HL courses she can take if doing full IB. So for Junior year she wants to take HL English, French and History, then AP Physics, Chem and Calc BC. She thinks this is more rigorous than full IB, but I am clueless. [/quote]

It is true that the IB diploma requires taking at least two SL courses.  But it also requires TOK and the extended essay.  If your daughter’s school offers both IB and AP (some IB schools don’t offer many or any AP courses) then she could probably craft a schedule as rigorous as the full IB diploma.  [/quote]

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