So a few times, I have mentioned the IB program or its more formal name: The International Baccalaureate Program (or Programme if you want to go with proper English!) and some of you are probably wondering what exactly this program is.
IB is an accelerated program that pushes you to your absolute limits in the academic sense. We also joke that it pushes us to the brink of insanity! But of course, depending on the person, this could describe any program that one finds challenging. Only select schools have the IB program incorporated within their school while other schools are completely IB-focused.
First though, you have to be accepted. The application process to become an IB student includes: writing a personal essay, getting middle school teacher recommendations, filling out paperwork, and you can even shadow an IB student for a day, giving you the feel of IB and the classes. Then after doing all the paperwork and other various tasks, you take the admissions exam (which could be considered to be along the same lines as an SAT or ACT, your acceptance practically depends on this test). After the exam, you are notified if you are going to be called in to interview or not. At the interview, you sit down with either an IB teacher or administrator and discuss whether or not IB is right for you, whether or not you are ready for IB, etc. etc. and after your interview you get to sign a paper saying you will be a part of the IB program (a time many of us look back on and say we sold our soul!).
Then comes the actual program. Your Freshman and Sophomore years are considered your years in the “Pre-IB” program. Two years designed to prep you for the actual IB program. Once you are a Junior, the fun begins! Course load goes up, difficulty of classes goes up, and you begin your testing to determine whether or not you receive your diploma. There are two types of tests: SL and HL. SL (or Standard Level) means you take the Pre-IB course then one year of the actual IB course (Junior/Senior year) and test. HL is the same except you take the IB class both your Junior and Senior year. While you need a certain amount of points to receive your diploma, there are also many other small rules you have to remember such as your 3 HLs must combine for a total of 12 points.These small rules are what normally keep a diploma candidate from receiving his/her diploma.
So if you are a student who enjoys being pushed academically, give the IB program a try! If you decide its not for you, you can simply drop out anytime you wish. Many drop it the end of their freshman year of some where during the Sophomore year simply because they decide its not for them. Although, the program is excellent and I feel I am prepared for college, even without my Senior year!
posted on July 11th, 2008 by Becca
Tags: Accelerated High School Program, College Prep Program, high school academics, IB, International Baccalaureate
Posted in College Prep, High School | 9 Comments »
July 16th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
[...] do school wise) they have no time for extra curricular activities, I know many students (especially IB) who are fairly involved in their communities and organizations outside of [...]
September 21st, 2008 at 10:15 am
[...] or gone missing. I then proceeded to my College Adviser’s office (who also happens to be my IB counselor), ran inside and placed the folder at his desk. He slowly went through the file folder just as I [...]
December 9th, 2008 at 8:03 am
[...] to balance between school and their instruments and other activities, and many of them are also in International Baccalaureate, so it amazes me how much time some of them can find in their crazy schedules to practice as much [...]
February 5th, 2009 at 8:02 am
[...] while you sleep to revitalize itself and restore itself to keep you healthy. It makes me wonder why International Baccaulaureate kids don’t start dropping like flies once we hit our senior [...]
April 21st, 2009 at 11:43 am
[...] was looking at my calendar today, trying to figure out a study schedule for my IB tests and realized, for the Senior class of 2009, there is exactly one month of school left until our [...]
July 13th, 2009 at 11:23 am
[...] There is a strong suggestion that students push themselves academically via honors and AP courses, International Baccalaureate courses and dual-enrollment. SAT is required, with scores generally in the 700s. Two written essays [...]
August 1st, 2009 at 1:02 am
[...] students can take college classes and earn college credit for free or reduced fees. Unlike AP or International Baccalaureate, classes are taken through an actual college. These programs are a great a way to prepare for the [...]
August 26th, 2009 at 1:01 am
[...] in college, versus those you took in high school. Advanced placement, honors courses and even IB classes are all great ways to prepare yourself for college, add some impressive bullets to your college [...]
October 27th, 2009 at 1:04 am
[...] say, high school is a pretty busy time, so why should you bother with taking advanced placement or International Baccalaureate [...]