[Adore]

I wasn't sure where I should ask this but yeah, for all you who've taken the IB programme,
was it worth it? What's some of the cons and pros?
Is it that much differen't than the normal cirriculums ?
And, is it harder?
Did you like it?
Sorry, I'm just curious
Please put your opinions because so far, I have alot of mixed opinions about it.

[la vifzetta*]

was it worth it?
- it's worth it if you are actually going to make use of your credits in university. it also preps you quite well for what you will be expecting in uni. it's also helpful if you plan on entering an ivy league school after grad.

What's some of the cons and pros?
- Cons: less time for yourself, you start to think you are an elitist so you end up losing most of your old friends that aren't in ib b/c of its cliquey nature, you become self-absorbed.
- Pros: very good academic program, especially if the HS you are applying to is known for their IB program. it helps you become more well-rounded as an individual.

Is it that much differen't than the normal cirriculums ?
- just comparing with AP which is also a more 'challenging' program, IB is different in that it incorporates other factors than just academic. they require you to be an all-rounded student by participating in sports, arts and volunteering. basically, after your 2 years in IB, you will not only be book smart but also aware of what's going on outside of the academics.

And, is it harder?
- yes. especially if you are talking about IB Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics Higher Level. The arts side of it isn't that bad, it's more intense and more rigorous, but the Sciences are actually a lot harder than what is taught for regular grade 11 and 12 students.

Did you like it?
- so, so. i like it because it's a very competitive and challenging program. it shaped me into the person that i am today. but i also hate it because of the nature of ib students. but that's just my personal experience.

[Adore]

^ Wow thanks for such a detailed opinion
much appreciated.

b/c of its cliquey nature, you become self-absorbed.

I'm not too sure what you mean by this. Do you mean that you'll be self-centered kind of thing? Or just, not have much time for anything else?

Also, if taking the IB programme, must you take IB in all your courses? Like Biology and Chem? Or can you take normal?

[Sky's Crying]

^ Wow thanks for such a detailed opinion
much appreciated.
I'm not too sure what you mean by this. Do you mean that you'll be self-centered kind of thing? Or just, not have much time for anything else?

Also, if taking the IB programme, must you take IB in all your courses? Like Biology and Chem? Or can you take normal?

i know what that person means. ib students at my school tend to place themselves on pedestals. they look down upon the others, and tend to only interact with other ib students. i guess they kind of feel some sort of kinsmanship considering that everyone is going through the same stress with the program.

i'm a senior, and i chose to do certificate ib. you know why?

because i firmly believe that the ib program is absurd and an absolute waste of your time. your money will never be refunded after you pay for exams. i prefer just taking the ap exams and receiving college credit for that. i have to admit though, that participating in ib will prepare you well for the work load that you'll face in college. but of course, you'll have to complete a long and exhaustive ib paper, do many hours of community service, and take a series of exams.

if you're willing to sacrifice your personal time and are devoted, then i say go for it!

if you're not so motivated in school, then i'd say just stick with taking ap exams.

[josebiwasabi]

I wasn't sure where I should ask this but yeah, for all you who've taken the IB programme,
was it worth it? What's some of the cons and pros?
Is it that much differen't than the normal cirriculums ?
And, is it harder?
Did you like it?
Sorry, I'm just curious
Please put your opinions because so far, I have alot of mixed opinions about it.

was it worth it?
yes. i think it was. but more for the experience, strength of schedule, and well-rounded education rather than actual credits. i did receive 20 credits from USC, though (one semester here is 16 credits).

pros:
the stuff i already mentioned
close group of friends who you can easily relate to.
surrounded by people who want to succeed (positive learning atmosphere. sounds cheesy, but it's true)
material you learn is actually interesting
qualified teachers
world-view rather than the "america roxx!!!" point of view

cons:
hard to make friends outside of IB (known as the IB bubble)
too many people are grade-whores

is it hard?
definitely. there's an extreme difference (at least there was in my school) between standard and IB courses. it was seriously as different as night and day. normal classes were a complete joke, and for IB you had to work your butt off to maintain good grades.

did i like it?
yeah, i actually did enjoy the experience a lot, in retrospect. i would also say that if i was an 8th grader going into high school, i would repeat the same academic track that i did this time. try to avoid the elitism though. and the number-crunching.

[Adore]

THANKS<3 To all the great opinions, I guess primarily you all liked the IB programme.
A question, what is certificate IB?
And, well I thought about the IB programme because I really want to get into University after I graduate and I heard University's accept IB students more?
Can someone kind of fill me in on that?

But thanks again for the wonderful opinions <33

[clayray3290]

I don't know if you still want more opinions, but I'll give mine anyway.

At my school, we all HAVE to take IB and the whole curriculum is IB. So I don't really have a choice.

Freshman year and sophomore year were spent in pre-IB classes and junior year is when you start your IBs. Everyone is required to take 5 IBs. Gah, I'm taking 7. I took IB Physics starting sophomore year and so I am currently in my second year and will be taking my IB exam later this year *gulp*.

IB is definitely a rather daunting program, at least so far in my experience. I've been told that the pre-IB classes we took freshman and sophomore year are equivalent to AP classes. And I've also been told that the IB expects us to be as knowledgable as experts in whatever field we're taking the exam in.

It's really difficult to retain all the information and lately (we're currently in the middle of midterms) all of the juniors' eyes are weary from lack of sleep because quite honestly, the IB is a lot of work.

I'm not done with the IB so I can't tell you how it helped me in college, but I have heard that when people go to college, it's a lot easier than it was in high school. And I really do think the IB kinda forces you into becoming a well-rounded person.

I don't know how the IB program works in your school, but our school is just all-out IB and although it's really difficult, if you're committed and driven, I think it's worth it.

Or at least I hope so.

[moley]

IB will be your worst nightmare. But when you wake up after it's all over, you get a pretty sash & it looks all good on your college applications. =)

[safety_bread]

And, well I thought about the IB programme because I really want to get into University after I graduate and I heard University's accept IB students more?
Can someone kind of fill me in on that?

- Both true & false. It really depends on the college or University of your choice. Because they not only see WHAT classes you took, but your extra activities as well. To me, IB Classes give you a benefit in a way to allow the admissions to see what type of classes are you taking.

I actually pass IB & got my diploma (still need to pick it up though).

Was IB worth it?

- More ways, yes. It prepares you for college, helps you manage your time (especially if you procrastinate) & getting credits for the University. Since I'm in college, I don't have to take Math, English, History & Social Science courses.

The Cons of IB
- Stress
- lack of sleep
- IB Bubble --> Where you usually only hang out with IB people only, don't know everyone around the school & being self-absorbed (not usually the case) & what not.
- Little time for yourself & your friends. (I try to hang out with my friends who weren't in IB as much as possible)
- too many people who want to know your grades ; I hate sharing my grades.

Pros of IB
- Looks good on the transcript
- Getting credits for University
- You are mostly around a good atmosphere of people who are ambitious & willingly to get good grades instead of slacking off or partying.
- Qualified teachers
- Well Rounded Individual

Is it that much differen't than the normal cirriculums ?

- I say, it's different. However, AP & IB are like the same thing. You get credits for the classes you take. But, the only difference is. AP is facts. IB is a lot of analyzing. AP doesn't require you to do volunteer hours. IB does. IB makes you a more well-rounded individual with volunteering, academics, etc.

And, is it harder?

- Yes. Because there are so many things you have to do for these exams like studying, oral exams, exams in general. >__<

Did you like it?

- Yes & No. It was my hate/love relationship at that moment in high school. I didn't enjoy high school throughly as many people did but I was able to be a well-rounded individual. At first, you'll hate it because of the work that piles up & no time for your friends, but slowly.. You like it & when you get into college, you'll find out how much IB taught you & how you will be able to use it in college.

[polaress]

Guess I'm the only one here, who thinks IB was a waste of my time? At the beginning, I wanted to go for the IB diploma but I decided to only go for certificates. I admit, I learned a lot from taking the IB classes and you're surrounded by people who takes education and grades seriously. If you're like me who procastinate and is not motivated to do the work, don't go into IB. It's better off being in a regular class instead. If I could start over again, I would have done Pre IB in my freshmen and sophmore year and then go into RUNNING START instead.