What are the Pros and Cons of being in IB?

Question

Also, why should i do IB instead of AP? I don't want IB to lower my GPA because of the work load. And, out of the two, which one do colleges prefer?

Answer 1

Ask your counselor about whether your school weights IB classes, because I know mine does. At my school an A in an IB class is a 4.5 instead of 4.0. So IB isn't hurting my GPA. In fact, if you take IB classes in your strengths and do well in them, it would actually help your GPA. Depending on how many IB classes you take, but if you do diploma this will obviously be a lot, then your GPA could be pushed above 4.0, which will be really impressive to colleges.

As someone mentioned, the Extended Essay is a perk of the IB program. Yes it is a lot of work and yes it is something on the side, but you get a change to explore something you are interested in. I know some of my friends who are looking forward to doing their Extended Essays. Another good thing about IB is your writing schools definitely get a lot better. In basically every class you have to write something. I know last year I was really surprised when I had to write a paper in Math, but I did. Another pro of IB is that you get better in presenting your ideas in general. As mentioned, you get more writing practice, but you also give oral presentations that count towards your IB grade. For example, you give Individual Oral Presentations that last 10-15 minutes in English, and you have Oral Assessments in modern foreign languages like French and Spanish. I think this is something that AP seriously lacks. In AP don't you just take one multiple choice test at the end of the year? In IB the IB exam isn't multiple choice and all these IB grades that are presentations count towards your final IB grade.

Someone mentioned how you become isolated and really miss out on another lifestyle if you join IB, but because of CAS I don't think this is true. I'm doing IB and basically all of my friends are in IB but I don't think this is a bad thing. And like I said, CAS forces you to get involved in other things. If you join some school clubs then your CAS hours are covered and you aren't isolated; you get out and spend time with other people in the school.

As for which one colleges prefer....American colleges SAY they don't prefer any one, but AP is more recognized nationally. If you want to study abroad, by all means do IB, it will be much more helpful. American colleges, however, put IB and AP on the same level, whereas I personally think IB is harder. If you don't want to do the work, then go for AP, but I think getting used to the workload will make the switch to college a LOT easier. My IB History teacher has told us about how people come back from college and tell him that college is easy because of all the work they did in high school.

So I guess it's really what you are looking for. Also I am in IB, so I guess my view is slightly biased, but I gave you my perspective, so just do what seems right to you!

Oh and don't forget that you can always take some IB classes and get IB certificates instead of doing the full diploma.

Hope that helped =]

Answer 2

Ib Program Pros And Cons

Answer 3

An additional .5 (depends on the school think) is added to your GPA for every semester you take IB classes. If you are worried about your GPA, take this into consideration.

Being in an IB program gives you an opportunity to see what college classes will be like. The Extended Essay requirement provides you the experience on researching and writing an academic research paper that you would need to do in post-secondary education.

Most universities also gives you credit for IB classes you have taken as long as you receive a certain mark or higher. This saves you money and time when you're pursuing your bachelor's degree.The program is also developed to help you become well-rounded since they not only focus on academics but also in community service and creativity (CAS). The Theory of Knowledge class also develops critical thinking.

The only con about being in IB is the time and dedication that is required for you to get the diploma. You really have to be serious in your studies so that nothing goes to waste.

I don't think that universities prefer AP over IB or vice-versa. However, taking the full IB diploma program looks good because it proves that you can take university-level classes and do other community service, research at the same time. If you don't think that you can handle the full IB diploma work load then taking AP classes is a good option since colleges give you credit for those as well. If you're good in certain subjects then take advanced courses on those. Talk to the teachers who teach the advanced classes and ask what it takes to do well.

Whatever you decide to do, just make sure that you can handle it. There is no point in stressing yourself out in the last few years of high school.

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What are the Pros and Cons of being in IB?
Also, why should i do IB instead of AP? I don't want IB to lower my GPA because of the work load. And, out of the two, which one do colleges prefer?

Answer 5

Oh, my school gives you MORE grade points for being in IB. If your school doesn't do that and you have no real desire to do IB, then don't do it.

Colleges do not prefer IB over AP. Some colleges will give you scholarships for IB, but ... come on, no. You are not going to lose our spot because a kid did IB and you didn't.

The pros of being in IB is that you get a more rounded education, opportunities for scholarships, and college work load will not faze you.

The cons of being in IB is that you get worked up in the IB and forget that there are a lot of other great opportunities in school that you could have taken, but you didn't because you gave yourself to the IB. IB students tend to isolate themselves from the other students, so you'll be missing out on a whole 'nother student body and kind of people (which is a bad thing if you're like me and enjoy meeting new people). It's a lot of work and it /might/ help you be a better student, but it didn't help me be a better student. It just stressed me out. Also, a school you like might not recognize IB credits.

Answer 6

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