Reply to AP vs IB

Forum Index » Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)

Reply to "AP vs IB"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]12:32 poster again - wanted to add that Robinson's website has a lot of great info. there to help you learn about IB and the differences between AP vs. IB.

Also, you can take IB classes but not pursue the IB diploma.  The diploma is the part that requires the service hours, extended essay and Theory of Knowledge class.[/quote]

I would be reluctant to send a kid to an IB school if he or she was not getting the full diploma.  It is just too easy for colleges and universities to distinguish between students applying from IB schools on that basis.  [/quote]

Not sure what you mean - can you elaborate? [/quote]

The goal of the IB program at the high school level is to obtain an IB diploma.  It's not mandatory at IB high schools in FCPS, but it's still the goal of the program under the IBO guidelines.

You don't actually find out whether you're getting an IB diploma until after you've graduated from high schools.  However, colleges can quickly tell whether or not an applicant is an IB diploma candidate, and some likely only consider applications from students pursuing the full diploma.  AP isn't so binary.  For the most part, colleges will just see students from AP schools who've taken a range of different AP classes, but there's no "AP diploma" program at most schools.  AP is currently rolling out a program called the "Capstone" program that's modeled in part on IB, includes some new AP courses that emphasize research methods and require a writing project, and can lead to an "AP Capstone Diploma."  But, even if the Capstone program were widely adopted, getting a "Capstone Diploma" likely would not be as important for students at AP schools as getting an IB diploma is for students at IB schools.

As it turns out, Oakton is one of the AP schools in FCPS where the Capstone course is being offered next year, as part of a pilot program.  OP can take a look at this, and some of the other courses that a student interested in writing might take, at this link:  http://www.fcps.edu/OaktonHS/forms/counseling/CourseSelection_Grades10-11-12_2015-16_021015.pdf[/quote]

Colleges will take IB credit the same as AP courses one by one regardless of the diploma. The diploma is an added bonus.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics