Is taking 4 HL Courses worth it for my future?

CollegeBound6513
Wed, 15 Apr 2015 15:48:29 +0000

@ChiefCurry Where did you get that percentage? 2% get 7s in English HL? As far as I know, the lowest percentages for 7s are in History HL and Psychology HL, fluctuating around 3-7%, followed shortly with Biology HL at 4-6%. (November 2014 Results)

Also, to clear things up a little, if the OP is planning on going straight to a medschool, especially in UK or Australia (or any other Commonwealth), Chemistry HL is a prerequisite. Biology HL is not. To this day, I regret not taking Physics HL over Biology HL. If OP is planning to take pre-med in the States, nothing is a prerequisite, really.

@zasder I took 4 HLs. It was fine. As a senior, I will say that as long as you are motivated, you will do great A note about the Bilingual Diploma, however. There are 2 major ways you can obtain it:

1. 2 Language A's, may be at HL or SL (you do not have to take English HL and Spanish HL to get a Bilingual Diploma. I took English and Indonesian LangLit SL, and can still get one)

2. Completion of a Group 3 or 4 Subject in a language other than your Language A (For example, if you took History HL in Spanish or German, you wouldn't even need to take another Language A to get a Bilingual Diploma)

My 4 HLs were: Math HL, Biology HL, Chemistry HL, and History HL (History of Europe and the Middle East mostly). My 2 SLs were: English and Indonesian LangLit SL.

I would like to caution you, however. Please do not in any way think 4 HLs is not “very hard.” It is. Most nights, I lay in bed thinking about the “bad decision” I made in taking 4 HLs.

Now about your subject selections. You said:
“I would be taking English HL, History HL, Spanish Literature HL, Art SL, Biology HL, Math SL, and Physics”

1. I will say the hardest out of your subjects is History HL.

2. 2 Language HLs are not taxing (believe me. It's the "go to" selection for people in my school if they want "easier" 7s).

3. Art SL will be taxing. Do you need to take it? If not, change it to Chemistry SL or Physics SL. It's not worth stressing over if you're not going to pursue it.

4. Biology HL and History HL IS A DEADLY COMBINATION. ESPECIALLY IF THEIR PAPERS OCCUR ON THE SAME DAY! (Please forgive the all caps. It is DEADLY). You're better off taking Physics HL and Biology SL.

Just my thoughts. Take them with a grain of salt. You know yourself the best. And good luck with IB Programme. It is very rewarding