Actually, I have met a couple of people, "Usually Parents", who thought more of themselves and their kids because they were in the IB program. "Many of these parents live vicariously through their kids". Living in a small town, and having one of only two IB schools in the entire state, there's a lot of dissension among parents. Many think there's funding involved that should be spent on programs that help all kids. Not just those who are good academically. Teachers are envious/jealous/pi$$ed at others who got certified and selected to be IB teachers. Of course the teacher's union doesn't like it.
I definitely took your post as the "Inside Humor" it is recognized as. The IB kids here kid about it too. Unfortunately, there's a lot of people who think quite negatively of the IB program. USUALLY, it's parents who wasn't able to get their kids into the program. Usually because a school with the program isn't close by. And for that, I would definitely agree it is unfair. Wyoming is one of the largest physical states in the country. 2 schools with the IB program. These 2 schools are about 200 miles apart from each other. So basically, if you don't live in or outside the city limits of Cheyenne or Casper, you pretty much aren't going to be able to take advantage of the IB program. In any LARGE city/town, you can find at least one school your kid could attend. Even in Colorado, where it's half populated, there's 23 cities with at least 1 school offering the IB program. But you start heading to the western part of colorado, (The Back Range), on the Utah connecting side, and it's almost unheard of.
So while it's a great program, it's definitely not for everyone; nor available to everyone. Just like the AP classes being discussed. I've had kid apply to the academy who literally took every AP class available, or at least that their schedule could provide for. And I've had some applicants who only took 1 AP class per semester; and some that take none.
As has been said 1,435,654 times on the forums, "And this is why the school profile is so important", the academy wants to see WHAT you DID.... with WHAT you HAD. You need to take the most challenging classes available; that you can pass fairly well in. Strictly from an academic point of view on your application, the more advanced classes you take, the better your application will be and the higher your academic scoring will be. But obviously, as has been pointed out, YOU have to find your balance. Taking all advanced classes, and averaging 3.4 GPA, and having no time to do sports, clubs, or other activities, is a gunshot to the foot of your application. On the other hand, taking only state required classes, and basket weaving electives and getting a 4.0 gpa, (When more challenging classes ARE AVAILABLE), is also a gunshot to the foot of your application. You have to decide what you can do, how much you can do, and how well you can do it. But remember..... there ARE KIDS at the academy RIGHT NOW, and many alumni, who were able to do it all. They did the ALL AP schedule or IB program; and also did all the sports, clubs, leadership, volunteering, teams, bla bla bla.
So when deciding what your schedule should be, look at what YOU CAN TAKE AND ACCOMPLISH. Don't look at what YOU WANT TO TAKE AND ACCOMPLISH. I'd think that most kids would prefer to take just 1-2 challenging classes vs 5-7 per semester. But most know how competitive colleges and scholarships are.