Anonymous
08/24/2023 18:54
Subject: Whether to push a kid to pursue IB diploma
Anonymous wrote:DC is a new sophomore at an IB high school. They've begun stating that they don't want to pursue the IB diploma beginning next year - they say that it would feel like too much pressure.
Background on kid: Bright but not gifted. Full raft of honors classes as freshman/sophomore (A- average); AAP prior to that point. Has struggled with foreign-language study and some accelerated math. Very prone to anxiety and some depression (in therapy w/ a great counselor; seems to be helping). No real areas of interest or excellence as yet; tends to dabble in, e.g., a musical instrument or art form and then drops it once stuff gets hard or requires a lot of practice.
I don't want to make DC feel pressured or burn them out before college applications start - their happiness and self-esteem are the top priorities. But I worry that without pursuing the IB diploma (and given that this high school doesn't offer traditional AP courses), they won't develop necessary stamina and interests to succeed later. What would you do?
Move to an AP school. You don’t end up with the same divide between the special diploma kid and everyone else.
We were at an IB high school with our oldest. At the graduation the IB coordinator talked longer than the invited guest speaker. Went on and on about how the IB diploma kids were special “global citizens.”
Our younger kids went to an AP high school. Every bit as rigorous academically (actually more so) but also less pretentious and far more inclusive.
Anonymous
08/24/2023 18:23
Subject: Whether to push a kid to pursue IB diploma
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The diploma literally means nothing. I had to do 360 hours of community service (I think they've changed that now) and extra work. I could've gotten in to MIT without it. I also have a PhD I wouldn't say the thesis taught me anything that was helpful. I did enjoy the project, though.
I dunno. Clearly it did something for you if you got into MIT and have a PhD.
I don't know how you can assess and say for certain you would've gotten into MIT without it.
Because I didn't get the diploma until my Freshman year of college. So it didn't help my application.
But merely being an IB Diploma candidate is impressive to admissions, which is why many counselors and college coaches encourage kids to pursue the diploma even if they don't ultimately get it, since the diploma is awarded after they get accepted to a college and graduate from high school.
As a former college advisor, you are incorrect about this. I think parents say this to justify why they push their kids in it.
It’s not like parents make this stuff up. This is what we are told by the counselors and teachers at our IB schools.
I don't think it's the IB diploma, per se, but that most of these kids are already super high achieving, and the writing and research they do in the IB program really sets them apart. These kids could probably get into those elite schools without the diploma, but the courses themselves probably propelled them to another level academically.
Anonymous
08/24/2023 17:37
Subject: Whether to push a kid to pursue IB diploma
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The diploma literally means nothing. I had to do 360 hours of community service (I think they've changed that now) and extra work. I could've gotten in to MIT without it. I also have a PhD I wouldn't say the thesis taught me anything that was helpful. I did enjoy the project, though.
I dunno. Clearly it did something for you if you got into MIT and have a PhD.
I don't know how you can assess and say for certain you would've gotten into MIT without it.
Because I didn't get the diploma until my Freshman year of college. So it didn't help my application.
But merely being an IB Diploma candidate is impressive to admissions, which is why many counselors and college coaches encourage kids to pursue the diploma even if they don't ultimately get it, since the diploma is awarded after they get accepted to a college and graduate from high school.
As a former college advisor, you are incorrect about this. I think parents say this to justify why they push their kids in it.
It’s not like parents make this stuff up. This is what we are told by the counselors and teachers at our IB schools.
Anonymous
08/24/2023 17:35
Subject: Whether to push a kid to pursue IB diploma
My kid did the whole diploma and it was a lot. She’s gifted in humanities and enjoyed the writing and discussion. It was a lot more than I expected. I didn’t care about the college credit. She was in high school. One thing at a time. No need to push. It was a lot, and I don’t think she would have gotten into the top-tier college without it, but looking back seven years, I don’t think it was absolutely necessary. If your kid says no, honor that. Kids are kids one time. Let them be kids.
Anonymous
08/24/2023 15:29
Subject: Re:Whether to push a kid to pursue IB diploma
I was in a full IB diploma program until I moved senior year. I think the strongest advantage of the diploma or a course load heavily weighted to IB classes is that it forces one to develop strong writing skills. The assessments are more open-ended and require application of the material; it’s not multiple choice regurgitation. It made undergraduate in a writing intensive major a breeze. Candidly, I was not challenged academically again until law school at a top law school.
You do not need to slog through the extra steps required for the diploma to reap the benefits of the curriculum. You also do not want to start college burnt out.
You do not need to slog through the extra steps required for the diploma to reap the benefits of the curriculum. You also do not want to start college burnt out.
Anonymous
08/24/2023 15:21
Subject: Whether to push a kid to pursue IB diploma
Opposite here - my daughter is trying for full IB and I think she should just take some classes. She’s really busy with activities and her social life and I think this is something only a pure academic kid should think about.
But as a sophomore she is dipping her toes in with 2 classes (most start junior year) and will figure it out on her own
But as a sophomore she is dipping her toes in with 2 classes (most start junior year) and will figure it out on her own
Anonymous
08/24/2023 14:27
Subject: Whether to push a kid to pursue IB diploma
Is the IB diploma helpful in securing admission to universities outside the US?
Anonymous
08/24/2023 14:16
Subject: Whether to push a kid to pursue IB diploma
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The diploma literally means nothing. I had to do 360 hours of community service (I think they've changed that now) and extra work. I could've gotten in to MIT without it. I also have a PhD I wouldn't say the thesis taught me anything that was helpful. I did enjoy the project, though.
I dunno. Clearly it did something for you if you got into MIT and have a PhD.
I don't know how you can assess and say for certain you would've gotten into MIT without it.
Because I didn't get the diploma until my Freshman year of college. So it didn't help my application.
But merely being an IB Diploma candidate is impressive to admissions, which is why many counselors and college coaches encourage kids to pursue the diploma even if they don't ultimately get it, since the diploma is awarded after they get accepted to a college and graduate from high school.
As a former college advisor, you are incorrect about this. I think parents say this to justify why they push their kids in it.
Anonymous
08/23/2023 22:14
Subject: Whether to push a kid to pursue IB diploma
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The diploma literally means nothing. I had to do 360 hours of community service (I think they've changed that now) and extra work. I could've gotten in to MIT without it. I also have a PhD I wouldn't say the thesis taught me anything that was helpful. I did enjoy the project, though.
I dunno. Clearly it did something for you if you got into MIT and have a PhD.
I don't know how you can assess and say for certain you would've gotten into MIT without it.
Because I didn't get the diploma until my Freshman year of college. So it didn't help my application.
But merely being an IB Diploma candidate is impressive to admissions, which is why many counselors and college coaches encourage kids to pursue the diploma even if they don't ultimately get it, since the diploma is awarded after they get accepted to a college and graduate from high school.
Anonymous
08/23/2023 21:59
Subject: Whether to push a kid to pursue IB diploma
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The diploma literally means nothing. I had to do 360 hours of community service (I think they've changed that now) and extra work. I could've gotten in to MIT without it. I also have a PhD I wouldn't say the thesis taught me anything that was helpful. I did enjoy the project, though.
I dunno. Clearly it did something for you if you got into MIT and have a PhD.
I don't know how you can assess and say for certain you would've gotten into MIT without it.
I'll also add that I had my E3 admissions card / file and they didn't mention it anywhere. What they did mention: I entered my classic Mustang in shows. They also mentioned when friends were cheerleaders or beauty queens. They were looking for things beyond the norm, beyond the grades and courses.
Anonymous
08/23/2023 21:53
Subject: Whether to push a kid to pursue IB diploma
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The diploma literally means nothing. I had to do 360 hours of community service (I think they've changed that now) and extra work. I could've gotten in to MIT without it. I also have a PhD I wouldn't say the thesis taught me anything that was helpful. I did enjoy the project, though.
I dunno. Clearly it did something for you if you got into MIT and have a PhD.
I don't know how you can assess and say for certain you would've gotten into MIT without it.
Because I didn't get the diploma until my Freshman year of college. So it didn't help my application.
Anonymous
08/23/2023 21:46
Subject: Whether to push a kid to pursue IB diploma
Anonymous wrote:The diploma literally means nothing. I had to do 360 hours of community service (I think they've changed that now) and extra work. I could've gotten in to MIT without it. I also have a PhD I wouldn't say the thesis taught me anything that was helpful. I did enjoy the project, though.
I dunno. Clearly it did something for you if you got into MIT and have a PhD.
I don't know how you can assess and say for certain you would've gotten into MIT without it.