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Or is it merely just a myth perpetuated by IB fanatics?

By Andrey1225 (Andrey1225) on Sunday, November 30, 2003 - 11:55 am: Edit

it all depends.

i really cant say for sure because i've taken 8 APs (taking 4 more senior year) and i'm getting an IB diploma. and from my experience the IB tests were more work but a lot easier. generally, IB wants to get you to think and be more original so they give you the facts and let you interpret them. AP just wants you to memorize the facts for the exams.

i dont think colleges prefer one or the other...both are an accomplishment in themselves.

By Unstuck (Unstuck) on Sunday, November 30, 2003 - 12:26 pm: Edit

In admissions, supposedly there's no advantage one has over the other, AP or IB. That's what all competitive colleges say.

However, as an IB student, I keep hearing things like, "Stay in the IB Diploma program! Don't drop the full diploma and just take assorted IB classes--Colleges LOVE to see a full Diploma." I keep hearing that the diploma adds up to more than the sum of its parts. But who knows? That's all IB propaganda anyhow.

However, I do know that basically every IB graduate I've talked to or heard of says that college is 10x easier than IB was! Haha, so I'm looking forward to that, regardless of any advantage or lack thereof of the program itself.

By Warriorlax22 (Warriorlax22) on Sunday, November 30, 2003 - 02:25 pm: Edit

depends on what school held the program. if you go to a school with dead end students, IB is nothing compared to college.

By Amnestykid (Amnestykid) on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 09:20 am: Edit

Everyone is sort of right in a way, and 'Unstuck' seems to have heard a lot of the same opinions regarding IB that I have. Whether or not some universities recognize it as more vigorous, I would have to say that the program overall, especially the Diploma program, is much more well-rounded. You're not only studying and being examined in diverse subjects, but you're also involved in a program that was developed to produce students who have had a taste of everything. Think of the C.A.S component, the Theory of Knowledge course, and the Extended Essay! These are just a few reasons why I personally feel the program may be considered more advantageous.

take care,
AK.