IB Program/Diploma, Wurf it? Options

[Simba]

Ay I'm thinking about going for the IB program starting junior year, but I'm not sure if it would be worth it?

Any of you ever take it or know anything I should know about it? How rigorous is it (I guess compared to taking mostly AP courses instead).




Maybe there might be a topic on this already but that's ok.

[*paperplane*]

I think from all my friends who did it, you'd get a resounding NO. Take the IB classes you want to take, don't waste your energy on the diploma.

It ends up more rigorous than just taking all AP because you have less control over what classes you take (i.e. two year American history, physics) and have to do extra crap like CAS hours and the extended essay. If you school offers a lot of AP classes, you can get as many college credit hours with way less stress by just taking them, or whichever IB certificate classes you want to take (provided your school gives you certificate options). I know people who did full IB and didn't even get into the decent state schools, so it's definitely not worth it if you aren't completely motivated.

[Simba]

Well shoo, I've been getting the same general answer so far, so...

[misoshiru]

It's definitely a lot more rigorous than the APs, but I loved taking IB courses because the exams are writing based and I'm a lot better at that than I am at multiple choice. And, the IB program actually is a better preparation for college than AP is.

[*paperplane*]

Yeah, I actually wish I'd taken more IB classes than I did (because I bet I'd have done a lot better on the tests), but there's still no way I'd have gone for the diploma. I liked that IB classes were more select as well; most everyone (give or take) took at least a couple of APs.