<p>^You needn’t have to clarify how tough your school curriculum is. That job belongs to the counselor who writes the student evaluation letter. IB is not necessary, it is only a program and just because a school has it, does not prove that that school is brilliant; in fact, there are also sub par IB program sponsored institutes that do not prepare their students properly. Mushrooming can mean both a good thing and a bad thing. I would be wary with how they are evaluated on whim. You can compensate your scores with other standardized exams to atleast show that what your counselor has supported indeed is true and worth of value.</p>