Okay so I’m 16 a sophomore attended a public Highschool in New Jersey. Throughout my freshman and current sophomore year I’ve played sports, barely studied, obtained a job and wasted my free time. Coming to the end of my sophomore year I managed to get a 3.4 gpa in which I take all honors classes both freshman and sophomore year.( history, chemistry, algebra, geometry, English). My first 2 years I didn’t study at all, played in class and didn’t take anything seriously. Coming towards junior year I wanted to know if I should do IB program or Advanced placement. I plan on dropping all sports junior and senior year. I am a good test taker scoring above 85% of all sophomores on the mathematics section of the PSAT and above 60% on the English. I enjoy school but I’m a bit lazy and believe I can’t stay focused or quit playing around. Which would be a better fit to get full ride or dang near full ride scholarships based on my attributes and past history in school?
Lazy kids don’t do well in the IBD. Your plan for full rides will want a realignment of expectations with a gpa of 3.4 in the easiest years of high school, and an understanding of what kind of test results garner such offers (not 85th and 60th %ile). If your school offers IB then you really should be on the established pathway already, it seems late to be making any such kind of decision so I assume you are already on track for IB but are having second thoughts? You should talk to your IB coordinator and your GC. Are you in a selective private or public? Is your school especially competitive?
The thing to know is that the IBD does not offer any kind of magic status, if that is your thought for college. It IS great prep FOR college, and ensures rigour in high school. Those top students who do well in the IBD keep their optimal GPA, do all their ECs, maybe even play varsity and are top scorers in standardized testing. They are just not lazy. They work hard.
I’m a sophomore with a weighted, cumulative 3.3 GPA for both soph & freshman years, and I am going into a very rigorous IB path next year as a junior. I am not lazy. the reason my GPA is low is because I have had severe familial issues and I’ve had to miss a lot of school. however, now that this has straightened out I am going to an IB school next year and was accepted a few days ago. since I don’t want to pursue some prestigious college, my GPA doesn’t bother me. I just love rigor and love learning.
I have to say, IB really isn’t for lazy kids. they assign a LOT of work, have strict deadlines, and don’t accept late work (most of the time). testing high isn’t enough for IB. I was able to opt out of some required classes because of high testing, but that’s about all that will get you (plus your diploma). however, you can’t get your diploma without CAS, EE, all of that. that all takes independent effort.
I would suggest the AP route. APs are focused on a test, and the teachers are more likely to treat you like high school students and accept late work. AP, in my opinion (and IB graduates that I know of opinions’), is harder subject wise, but generally not work wise. in an AP class you typically read a lot (depending on subject) and practice a lot, but they don’t usually go as crazy about homework and essays and seminars as IB. IB is a big commitment, that’s why it’s a program and not a choice like AP. AP is awesome, I think it would suit you the best.
Thanks and good luck