IB: Should I move from 3HLs to 4 HLs to look more competitive?

Applying to College
1

Dear all,

Currently I am at in the second semeste rof my junior year and I am currently taking Math HL, Physics HL, and Economics HL. I could move my ITGS from SL to HL to look more competitive for American universities. I am planning to major in Computer Science in college.

I personally quite enjoy ITGS as a class, but I’ve heard that its extremely hard to get a 7 or even a 6 in ITGS, so taking ITGS HL is a risk since there is paper 3 which is a case study on an upcoming technology (e.g wearable technology, pretty interesting stuff!).
My teacher said if I’m able to research a little bit every week to build up my knowledge for the case study, I will succeed so I think the Paper 3 isn’t that bad, but since ITGS IB Grading is harsh I’m not so sure anymore. The extra HL topics are interesting to me (AI, etc), so I wouldn’t feel burdened by it. And the IA would be worth less of my grade so maybe that’s a concern?

I definitely want to keep my GPA up, so if going to ITGS HL will make it go down maybe I shouldn’t do it, what are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

2

Your question has one fatal error in its premise.

Most IB schools limit one to 3 HLs. So doing 4 HLs will not make you more competitive particularly if doing so tanks your GPA. There may be a very small exception if other students from your school are applying to the same colleges with a higher GPA and a more demanding courseload. But even then, those colleges are likely evaluating holistically.

3

Your biggest issue is the way you worded the title to this post.

4

Just keep in mind you need a 5 to get the 6 credits so if you over due it and don’t get the score you wasted the benefit

5

My son did 4HL. And I don’t see any advantage for him from that. Better apply your efforts to something another

6

@Alezzz @airway1 @Eeyore123 @skieurope Yes, there are people who take 4HLs at my school and its allowed. See the catch here is, ITGS seems right now really easy to me and the extra HL course load is pretty negligible, just a couple extra topics (so i wont have those SL study halls, but honestly school time is for school… home time is for studying so its no cost to me) and then just doing weekly knowledge build up for the paper 3. Like how hard is that? If I was going from Math SL to Math HL or Physics SL to Physics HL then that would be a BIG JUMP in terms of courseload, etc… so thats my point here being that the ITGS jump from SL to HL is relatively insignificant (note: RELATIVELY)… The whole reason is that I think that having 4 HLs will make me at least look a tiny bit more competitive in name and i’m lucky enough to be in ITGS where going from SL to HL is relatively insiginifcant… but I mean if colleges see 4HLs and look deeper to see one of them as ITGS HL, will they just discard and categorize me as 3HLs, does this really matter all? Is doing 4HLs, especially if my extra one is ITGS, giving me no edge at all and regardless of the little extra work i may need to do its just going to be more of pain? please let me know

7

Well HL you get college credits but SL you don’t… my son is take 3 plus a college course… his college course gives him 6 credits and one HL class will add another 6 IF he gets a 5… it’s your call! Good luck

8

As noted above, the benefit of 4 HLs, assuming your score well, is that colleges that give IB credit generally only give for HLs. So there is a valid reason, if your grades can support it, for taking 4 HLs.

9

Some schools, e.g., SUNY Bingamton, give extra credits for the whole IB diploma.

Students in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program may receive up to 32 credits. To receive the full 32 credits, the following conditions must be met:

The IB Diploma must be completed with a score of 30 or more points; and
The student must complete at least three Higher Level exams with a score of 5 or higher.
Diploma holders who meet these conditions receive credit for their individual exam scores plus additional liberal arts elective credit to total 32 credits.

10

@skieurope @bopper @airway1 I’m not really concerned whether I’m getting extra credits. So i’m guessing I’m getting a resounding NO that this does not make me look competitive from other international students applying to american colleges? If there are some guys at my school applying to same college will this come in handy then (if they have 3HLS or if they have 4HLs)

11

ITGS is so different from most classes that US high school students take and is not a required or even recommended class for US universities. They just aren’t going to know that much about it or the differences between HL and SL.

I checked three random university websites and none even had ITGS listed as an IB course that gives credit. For SL or HL.