Is he not super hardworking because everything he’s learned so far comes too easily to him, like is he not being challenged? Or is it that he isn’t self-motivated to work hard? These are different things.
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Not a pro or con of AP or IB, but could be a pro or con of the specific schools: do they offer AP or IB HL in the subjects of the student’s academic strength and interest?
For example, a top-end student in math may be unsatisfied with a school that requires a two year AB->BC AP calculus sequence or which offers only IB math AI SL.
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My kids are both in IB at a school that has both AP and IB. IB is best suited to kids who really like school, are self-motivated and really thrive on working hard and getting rewarded for it. It is really difficult for anyone with tendencies toward procrastination or who want to be able to blow off the end of the year (including senior year).
If your son doesn’t love writing and isn’t unusually motivated, IB could be a problem. At our kids’ school about 1/4 of the students leave the IB after the first real year (11th grade) because it was too much work and their grades suffered.
YMMV, but it is a tough row to hoe unless they are super hardworking.
that said, I think it is an amazing program and am thrilled that is available.
IMHO, IB = requires more “work” relative to AP, in general. (not saying AP is easy, heck these days I’ve heard some take 15-20 AP tests).
TOK and CAS - and pretty much everyone echoed writing skills will be improved (and needed, of course). All depends on whether you like writing or like to improve it - otherwise, it’ll be a drag
My own impression - if more introverted STEM type student (researcher) = AP
If more extroverted generalist student who’s willing to put in the work and sacrifice some of his “Extra curriculars” during super peak times (exam week for DP program plus uni applications - as mentioned by someone earlier) then IB
Risk “taker” = IB
Risk “Averse” = AP – why is “risk” involved? I feel that in IB, if you can’t hack the DP program, it’s a step down (eg if you shift out due to difficulty, find it too tough etc)= what does that do to the psyche of the student?
AP is less risky in that regard. Again, my own 2c.
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