IB Program and the USAFA

SummitSkier

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Jan 13, 2012
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My school district offers the full IB program starting at Pre-K and ending the final year of high school. I have the Middle Years Programme diploma and am planning on working to get the full IB diploma. I know that the USAFA does not honor college credits earned through the IB program, but my question is do they recognize the program or look at diploma holders differently than non-diploma recipients? At my school, the IB classes are the most rigorous ones they offer, and lots of community service is required to receive the full diploma. To me, this sounds like it could do nothing but help my chances of getting admitted to the Academy. Is there anyone who knows about the correlation of IB diploma holders and admissions to the USAFA?
Thanks
 
At my school, the IB classes are the most rigorous ones they offer, and lots of community service is required to receive the full diploma. To me, this sounds like it could do nothing but help my chances of getting admitted to the Academy.

Absolutely correct. Admissions takes into consideration the difficulty of classes taken in high school. They know that all high schools are not academically equal and that even in the same high school there can be a significant difference in the academic rigor of different programs. IB programs are well known for their intensity. Keep at it. Get the best grades you can while excelling on the field, court, pool or wherever else you compete. And get that IB full diploma. . .
 
Cal, my son is an Aeronautical Engineering major in the Class of 2013 at USAFA. He did the IB diploma program in HS. He feels the rigor of those classes definitely helped prepare him for the academic challenges at USAFA. Looking back on it, I'd say he is very glad he went through the IB Diploma program.

Good luck,
Bill
 
In reply to the OP,

My DD is a senior at a very well regarded IB programme in Florida. She has been repeatedly told that the IB participation would be a huge plus on her applications. This response was true of USNA, USMA and USAFA admissions personnel since we started the app process last year. As of right now, DD has a congressional nom to each of the three, so her ok GPA (3.3) has been offset by the rigor of the curriculum. I would say the only downside is that you are locked into your course of study at the beginning of your junior year and any attempt to address changing interest or strengths is discouraged.

If I can add anything else its just:
Stay with the programme and get that diploma. It is a huge accomplishment!

Good luck,
bikndave
 
I went through the IB Bilingual Diploma program back in Switzerland last school year, and it's really helped me in terms of academics, time management, and prioritization at NWP. Those are incredibly valuable skill most appointees acquire throughout their doolie year for the first time in a painful, "through-experience" manner.

My GPA reported from high school was converted from the 7-point scale to a 3.6 - modified by Admissions it became a 4.0. They do take the rigorous IB course difficulties into consideration when calculating the GPA, so it'll play out to be advantageous for you.
 
As others have said, the IB program is definitely beneficial towards applying to the academies. Academically; it is usually the most challenging classes. Nothing against AP classes; they too can be very challenging; but the IB program is a program. In other words, ALL classes on your schedule are at the highest difficulty instead of just a couple. Now some people take ALL AP classes. That would be equally as challenging.

Another thing about the IB program, is that it's international and standardized. The class that a 17 year old in Colorado is taking, is the same class a kid in Wyoming, Florida. Paris, Tokyo, or London is taking. Also; the IB program isn't just about the academic classes. It also revolves around volunteer time, community service, and improving yourself as a complete individual. Basically all of the things the academies are looking for.

So by all means, if you have the opportunity to enroll in the IB program, definitely go for it. Granted, there are only about 1000-1200 degree IB programs in the United States, but if your school has it, and you have the capabilities, then definitely go for it. Warning, it is very challenging. Not only academically, but the 200+ hours of volunteer/community service. Plus, it's very time consuming.

There are some that can do the IB diploma program and still do varsity sports, member of clubs, class officer, boy's state, etc... These are the individuals that the academies definitely notice. If you can do the IB program with it's academics and community service; and still find time for sports and leadership, you definitely have a great chance of getting an appointment. Remember; the academies and most high end universities want the complete person. Not just the academic star. So being in the IB degree program, even with the community service, but not doing sports and leadership isn't going to help you. But if you can do the IB degree program; Community service; extra curricular; sports; and leadership..... Then the academies and most people realize that there is literally nothing more you could have done. Best of luck to you. Mike....
 
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