<p>How many IB grads are there at UF anyway? I’ve heard there’s an unsually large number there as compared to other schools. Any reasons why?</p>
<p>My theory is as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li>FL is a large state
-With large state, comes lots of high school that potentially offer IB</li>
<li>UF is very good state school and cheap</li>
<li>Smart kids recognize the cost-benefit advantage of a school like UF</li>
<li>Large numbers of IB graduates in-state plus aforementioned logic in choosing a school like UF = large numbers of IB students</li>
</ul>
<p>IB students generally come in as sophmores with 30 credits under their belt already.
This helps them graduate in 4 years.
This helps the UF’ overall graduation rate.
This increased graduation rate helps them in the USNWR rankings.</p>
<p>Thats my personal conspiracy theory.
It’s all about the RANKINGS!</p>
<p>Florida has more IB schools than any other state besides California. Florida further has a high rate of IB grads because the state pays for IB tests (whereas other states make the students pay the expensive test fees). So Florida as a state has lots of IB kids to begin with and because of Bright Futures many of these stay in state and UF, as the flagship, is naturally where they go.
I’d guess that xNYer is right that UF giving preference to IBers in admissions is somehow tied to rankings. The 30 hour cap is actually a deterrent for many IB kids, though, and state law allows up to 45 hours.</p>