<p>I’ve read a few chances thread on here, and for some reason, not a lot of people took IB. (International Baccalaureate) I thought that IB would be a really good thing to take. But how come no one is doing it??? our school teachers has strongly recommended us to take it. So would you recommend me to take it? I mean if it’s not even raising the chance of you getting in then I don’t see the point of taking IB since you’d have to spend around $1000 to take all the exams and working your rear end off…Thank you for your answer. Right now it just seems like everyone is just taking AP and honors. No IB insight lol</p>
<p>AP seems to be offered a lot more across the board than IB. My school offers I think 19 AP classes but doesn’t have an IB program and it’s one of the best in the state and is decently ranked (?) nationwide. That’s why not many people seem to have it, but I have no idea what it’s like, sorry.</p>
<p>If you are thinking, “What’s the minimum I have to take to get in” then you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Adcoms want to see that you have a strong work ethic. They want to see that you challenge yourself. Concentrate on those things. That being said, my son’s school pays for the IB testing. No question IB is the most rigorous program at my son’s school and they have a full slate of IB and AP classes. In addition, the best teachers at his school teach IB classes and I think they have to have special training or certification for IB. YMMV.</p>
<p>well take a look at this <a href=“http://dasd-sharepoint.dasd.org/Schools/STEMAcademy/Documents/IB_University_Acceptance_Rates.pdf”>http://dasd-sharepoint.dasd.org/Schools/STEMAcademy/Documents/IB_University_Acceptance_Rates.pdf</a></p>
<p>That acceptance rates file is very interesting. I mean, if you do well in IB it’s basically about the same as taking lots of AP classes, but if you’re doing the diploma program, colleges know you had to do CAS and an EE and TOK, so that’s good.
I’m a senior in IB and I really liked it.
It’s up to you though.</p>
<p>Actually, that IB acceptance rates thing looks nice but if you change around the URL you figure out those are for the top public school in Pennsylvania, so keep that in mind. (Dowingtown STEM academy)</p>
<p>Are IB classes…</p>
<p>…necessary? No, Princeton does not systematically reject every student from every high school that does not offer IB. My high school offered only AP, and some offer neither.</p>
<p>…beneficial/gives you a higher chance to get in? Yes, insofar as your school offers them. Princeton rejects 9 out of every 10 applicants who have a 4.0 or higher, so to be competitive it is certainly in your advantage to take the most rigorous course load possible. Every year, extraordinarily qualified students are turned away. If you want to have better luck then them, it helps that you be qualified yourself.</p>
<p>Long answer below:</p>
<p>If you’re gunning for top colleges, and your school offers IB, then take it. Top Colleges(such as Princeton) know if IB is offered at your school, and they’re looking for students who took advantage of every opportunity at their school and worked as hard as possible. If you’re going to be applying to those schools, but you didn’t take IB even though it was offered, it will harm your chances. Taking IB shows you are willing to work hard and take advantage of every chance you get to further your education. </p>
<p>As for IB itself, I’m currently an IB Diploma senior and I highly recommend taking IB. From a purely college admissions viewpoint, it shows you are capable of handling a rigorous workload. That being said, take a good hard look at your ability and only pick the classes you think you can handle. IB is for two years, and dropping/failing one class is failing the whole diploma, so be sure you aren’t going to be failing or dropping out of classes. And do yourself a favor-only take the subjects you’re interested in, because you’re going to be studying them for 2 years. If you like Business over History, even if History is the harder course, then take Business. If your math is weak but you’re a fantastic writer, then maybe take Math SL and English HL. As for AP tests, I don’t know how it is in your school, but in mine a lot of the HL year 1 classes double as AP classes. If they don’t, that can be a blessing in disguise-it forces you to go above and beyond to take that AP test. I had to study by myself for the Physics C Mechanics and Physics C E&M tests, but I got a 5 and a 4, and now the fact I self-studied is a strong point in my application.</p>
<p>If you are going to do IB, then take the Diploma. It’s a lot more work, but if you’re focused on college apps, it’s very beneficial. CAS forced me to work a lot harder in my current ECs and take some more that I might not have originally considered as a prospective engineering major. For example, I joined the student paper last year to fulfill the creativity requirement, and found that I really enjoyed it. I’m now the editor of the paper, and I run my own satire/comedy column. The EE also is really beneficial, because it forces you to write an academic research paper, and knowing how to do that shows you’re well prepared for college. TOK improves your writing skills in a very unique way-it sharpens your logical thinking, and that’s what good writing is: a logical progression of ideas.</p>
<p>And overall, it’s a fun program! I enjoy writing my comedy articles every few weeks. I got to research a topic I was thoroughly interested in which I might not have found time for otherwise. TOK twisted my mind and made me consider very different viewpoints. At one point I found myself arguing(passionately, I might add) in class that in certain situations, maybe it’s ethical to eat babies(NOTE: I do not endorse this in real life. Please do not go eat a baby.). And it builds a bond between you and practically every other IB student out there. I’ve made many friends outside of school, and even a few out-of-school girlfriends 
, with the starting point in our relationship being both of us going, “You’re in IB too?!”. So yes, I highly recommend taking IB. I hope that was enough IB insight for you :)</p>
<p>TL;DR</p>
<p>Take IB!!! It haz work but it haz fun and it iz good :D</p>
<ul>
<li>Take the diploma or not at all</li>
<li>Your teachers/administrators know if AP or IB is the right choice in your area. It really does depend on your school - not just the rigor, but how much you’ll like it as well.</li>
</ul>
<p>You’ll probably end up with more college credits/advanced standing if you do AP. There are only so many HL courses you can take, after all.</p>
<p>After checking all of D’s list of schools, all but one went up in admission percentages, some by alot (Mount Holyoke for example). But…her first choice school (this week) actually had fewer IB diploma students accepted, Vassar, whats up with that?</p>
<p>Some schools offer AP or IB or both. If your school offers IB and not AP, take the IB because it looks good.</p>