IB vs. AP

FutureNavyPilot

FutureNavyPilot

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Hey guys. I'm an IB junior in Florida, accepted to NASS Session 2 (yes!), and I have a question!

I'm currently in the IB program (all three years of high school so far) and am a little concerned that it's really not all it's cracked up to be. This year I'm taking 4 APs, 2 IBs. IB Chem II and IB Pre-Calc (I didn't have the opportunity to advance to the higher math class), and AP US history, AP English Lit, AP Spanish, and AP Economics micro/macro.

Next year, I'm taking all IBs and none of those include a Physics or Calculus course to my school's limitations and the IB curriculum's limitations. Do you think these courses are particularly important to take to get me a better chance of an appointment to the Academy? Should I drop out of IB (though that shows lack of commitment) to take all APs including duel enrolling at a local community college for Physics/Calc?
 
- Futurenavypilot

Just a question for you:

Are you in an IB Diploma program, or does your HS offer IB classes?

I only ask because the Diploma program is a two-year program only in your Junior and Senior years and you normally do not "opt out" of a portion of it. Also; if you are in Pre-calc this year, what is your IB math course next year? I don't know of an IB program that doesn't offer Calc as the HL math course...

thanks,

bikndave
 
bikndave, my school only offered Math SL as well. As long as you get those 12 points in HL, it doesn't matter which courses you take.

To the OP, I'd say stick with the IB program. You won't get any more or less advantages by taking AP/college courses. You probably realize that the academy does not give you any incentive for earning a diploma, and the seemingly useless assignments, such as CAS, are very time consuming. However, this is what the academy is all about (okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit), so it's definitely a "good" experience.

Good luck!
 
FutureNavyPilot said:
I'm currently in the IB program (all three years of high school so far) and am a little concerned that it's really not all it's cracked up to be. T?
Click to expand...

Something quite a few kids at my HS are figuring out. Not saying IB is a bad program at all, but it just seems that more and more kids are finding that it isn't what is preached to them. Several of the top kids in the IB program that I'm familiar with are dropping it so they don't have to do requirements (i.e TOK, etc.) that cause them to miss classes that are a little more applicable.
 
i feel like since IB comes as a program u get things are seem like a waste of time.
However, being from an area where all 3 hs have very few ap classes i think ill just stay stuck in IB.
 
Yes, I'm in the 2 year IB program. I did the Pre-IB program freshman and sophomore as well. And you can get out of it if you want. I already had a conference with all my teachers to do so, but talked me into staying in once already.

No, at my school in my IB program, if we take IB Pre-Calc junior year, we HAVE to take Math Studies for our senior math class.
If you had the opportunity to get ahead and take AP Calculus your junior year and Honors pre-calc your sophomore year, you can take either SL math or HL math your senior year (very few take HL math--it's extremely advanced).

Thanks for everyone's opinions! I will probably stay in because I've already made it this far so I want to finish it. I'm just concerned about not taking the Calc and Physics courses. ): The IB program doesn't let you duel enroll either. I'm not lazy about doing all the extra stuff the IB program requires, I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing. Hope it's worth it... guess we'll find out in a year! ;D
 
FutureNavyPilot -

Thanks for entertaining my question, and to the other posters thanks for the input.

What I was trying to find out was whether your school was offering IB classes and claiming that you were in an IB program or not. If you were merely taking the IB class; then you didn't have to do a thing, just try out different subjects and take the most difficult course load you can. If you are in an IB Diploma program, and you are not failing miserably then you should always stay in. Consider the fact that you are in Florida and the Bright Futures scholarship is guaranteed if you get the IB Diploma, that is a fact! (for now at least)

Also, successful completion of the entire program reflects well on you no matter where you ended up going to school. Florida, FSU, USF and UCF (among others) are looking for someone with the IB background. Every student I've ever talked to that has the diploma, has said that the state schools were not as stressful as the senior year at their IB high school. And the schools listed above have become very competitive since the economy has tanked so brilliantly.

I'm sorry to hear about your school's offerings. Although it is possible to have an IB program without the HL math, it seems like a crime to exclude the more challenging coursework. (Math studies is no walk in the park, so you will hopefully be fine...)

Finally, the IB org doesn't restrict you from dual enrollment or from physics or calculus coursework, that must be a school or district decision. I have two daughters, one with an IB diploma and a sophmore in the IB right now. One has dual enrolled and never made less than an "A", the other is dual enrolled for this summer. In our district, Hillsborough Cty, you are encouraged to enroll in the DE if you feel you will get something out of it. If you are already taxed in the program they ask you to reconsider, but I would ask again unless its a written policy.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy every minute of your NASS experience!

bikndave
 
IMHO, IB main objective is to prepare students for college. Does the "IB" degree help getting in to top schools, well it depends. IB degree/program does not count for much without top ACT/SAT scores and great grades for many top tier schools. DD IB program/degree meant nothing for her number one school.. They wanted college test scores/grades some EC's and diversity. Not complaining, college admissions have the right to establish their admission policies. It is their game, they make the rules and we move on.

Our experience; DD 2010 graduate top IB school in country, 3.71 gpa, 29 ACT composite (30)math 31(english), 7 varsity letters, class president 3 yrs, team captain many other EC's Black marks; did not take chem (all advance IB Biology classes, C+ CALC jr yr increased to B sr yr). Result NROTC Scholarship top tier school, TWE USNA, rejected number one choice school.

I truly believe IB is great preparation, however in no way is it the ultimate golden ticket to top tier schools or SA's

Re-applying to USNA 2015
 
Thanks Birkndave and everyone else! I also e-mailed my B&G officer and he encouraged me to stick with the program as well.
 
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