AP courses vs. IB curriculum
When I worked in admissions I was often asked the question whether there is a difference between how colleges treat the IB (International Baccalaureate) curriculum and AP (Advanced Placement) courses.
The short answer: no.
Most students are familiar with at least one of these options for advanced coursework and have one available at their high school. Some students still worry that their school’s advanced courses are not as competitive as other schools’. You can stop worrying. If you're eligible or interested in taking advanced courses whatever you decide to do will be considered by colleges.
The IB curriculum and AP courses are weighed equally. To colleges, choosing one of these advanced programs does not represent anything more specific than a demonstrated effort to challenge yourself. Most schools do not offer both IB and AP so you are not expected to take them simultaneously. And if your school does not offer either, but you have taken courses at a local community college, fear not, that is respected as well. The bottom line is that colleges want to see that you are challenging yourself in whatever manner you are able. That can come in the form of an IB curriculum, AP coursework, college level classes, summer school courses to supplement your education, outside reading or classes, etc.
Furthermore, at each college, an admissions officer is responsible for your school and has, as part of his or her job, the responsibility of familiarizing him or herself with your school’s curriculum (meaning also, that you do not need to explain your school’s course offerings to the college).They get it.It’s their job.
Your job is to worry less about what admissions officers are thinking and more about the work you are doing. You only have so much time and energy. Focus on doing the best work you can and challenging yourself academically in the courses you take.
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Posted on August 6, 2007 under Advice |
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Comments (10)
Hey, thanks a lot for this post. My school does not offer either AP or IB, so I've been worried for a while about how colleges will view me. I am taking classes through the community college though, so although I doubt the colleges I want to go to will accept those credits, they'll help out the strength of my application. BTW, I'm pretty much in love with this site...
Posted on August 7, 2007 6:01 AM
hey sarah! Thanks for this article! I have many questions about AP classes. Right now Im taking as much as I can (AP Calculus, AP physics, AP world history, and AP spanish). At the end of my senior year I will present all the AP exams. Do colleges still consider the effort made by taking challenging courses even if I dont pass the exams? I mean, I know they woun´t recognize credits, but will they consider my effort? *Thanks*
Posted on August 7, 2007 8:17 AM
I've been worried about having no AP or IB classes either. I've taken every dual credit class my school offered and taken classes this summer at the community college. This article was just what I needed to hear!
Thanks!
Posted on August 7, 2007 11:20 AM
thx for the post but i also wanted to ask .. do the AP courses get graded diffrently in schools or do they count the same as regular courses ?
Posted on August 7, 2007 3:07 PM
Hey, I'm in the IB program, and all of my electives (i.e. non-IB classes) are AP, I'm even taking a few extra AP's online. I've been worried that colleges might think I'm not focused on a specific line of work enough. I've heard from some people that since my classes and my interest are so broad colleges might think I'm scatter brained. Is this true..? I'm in a lot of clubs, all from a very wide spectrum..and my state started this new "pick your major" thing this year for all high school students..should I have a single train focus with this? I've always figured I was doing the right thing by keeping my mind and interest open...but nontheless I'm quick to worry.
Posted on August 11, 2007 7:28 PM
Sarah-
If my school offers both AP and IB classes, will that hurt my class rank in the long run? Should I even be worrying about this?
Thanks for your help.
Posted on August 12, 2007 2:56 PM
Thanks alot for the article it really help, one thing still bother me, will colleges think less of me if my AP exam scores isn't what they are looking for. Thanks.
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Posted on March 8, 2008 8:30 AM
first of all, thank you so much for posting this!!
secondly, i'm taking all AP/honors classes this year, i'm incredibly bogged down and stressing hardcore about my AP tests.
my question is, do colleges still recognize the difficult course load even if i don't do so hot on the AP test?
i was wondering if it canceled out, or whether they still acknowledged the effort we put in?
Posted on March 25, 2008 6:24 PM