DS was much like the OP's son. In middle school he knew he wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon. He had his entire middle and high school plan in place by 7th grade. He knew what classes he needed to take in middle school so he could take the upper level classes in high school.
He is now a senior in college and has not wavered from that middle school plan. However, knowing how difficult it is to get into med school, he does have a back up plan in place. He is studying Biological and Chemical engineering with a chemE minor and the premed option. So, if he doesn't get into med school right away, he will pursue his second love, to be a biochemist. (thank you, thank you to our pediatrician who not only is a good family friend but has been an incredible mentor to him and pushed the need to study something he loved rather than putting all his marbles in the med school jar.)
We also struggled with the IB/AP decision. We have an outstanding IB program in our district as well as an excellent selection of AP courses.
He was set to do the IB program, which he really had his heart set on, however, he ultimately chose the AP path. And he has never regretted his decision.
As others have said, many of the more prestigious universities won't give much credit for AP nor IB classes. However, having them on your transcript is what gets you into those universities, so you have to take the classes if you want to be considered for admittance.
Here was the reasoning for choosing AP over IB:
AP credits are more accepted than IB credits, and it is becoming more and more that way. Really do your research on IB when your son is ready, as the gloss from the IB program may be losing its luster. There was a recent article that many colleges are putting the brakes on or limiting IB credits.
DS wanted to do extracurricular activities. He swam for his high school and while not impossible, it would have been difficult to do anything outside of the IB program. When we went to the IB open house, only one student had managed to play a sport or do anything other than study.
Which brings up the deciding factor for us. We were out to dinner with a good friend and counselor for a major university. She told us that of all incoming freshman, one of the groups they worry about the most are the incoming IB students. Many (not all) are either so burned out from four years of intense studying that they take a mental health year and basically blow off academics or they are so overwhelmed with the extra time they have on their hands (less studying time than an IB program) that they go crazy socially with lots and lots of partying, basically trying to cram the missed high school experience into their first year of college. Her view of incoming IB students was confirmed by several other counselors we consulted as we wanted to verify her thoughts. While he still wanted to do IB, knowing our son, we convinced him that having the entire high school experience was more important than the single mindedness of academics of the IB program. It was what was best for our son and as I have mentioned, we have never regretted the decision.
Both IB and AP are wonderful programs and there are benefits from both far beyond just getting credit in college for the classes. Choosing really depends on what works for your son, how he studies and what he wants from his high school experience.
He is now a senior in college and has not wavered from that middle school plan. However, knowing how difficult it is to get into med school, he does have a back up plan in place. He is studying Biological and Chemical engineering with a chemE minor and the premed option. So, if he doesn't get into med school right away, he will pursue his second love, to be a biochemist. (thank you, thank you to our pediatrician who not only is a good family friend but has been an incredible mentor to him and pushed the need to study something he loved rather than putting all his marbles in the med school jar.)
We also struggled with the IB/AP decision. We have an outstanding IB program in our district as well as an excellent selection of AP courses.
He was set to do the IB program, which he really had his heart set on, however, he ultimately chose the AP path. And he has never regretted his decision.
As others have said, many of the more prestigious universities won't give much credit for AP nor IB classes. However, having them on your transcript is what gets you into those universities, so you have to take the classes if you want to be considered for admittance.
Here was the reasoning for choosing AP over IB:
AP credits are more accepted than IB credits, and it is becoming more and more that way. Really do your research on IB when your son is ready, as the gloss from the IB program may be losing its luster. There was a recent article that many colleges are putting the brakes on or limiting IB credits.
DS wanted to do extracurricular activities. He swam for his high school and while not impossible, it would have been difficult to do anything outside of the IB program. When we went to the IB open house, only one student had managed to play a sport or do anything other than study.
Which brings up the deciding factor for us. We were out to dinner with a good friend and counselor for a major university. She told us that of all incoming freshman, one of the groups they worry about the most are the incoming IB students. Many (not all) are either so burned out from four years of intense studying that they take a mental health year and basically blow off academics or they are so overwhelmed with the extra time they have on their hands (less studying time than an IB program) that they go crazy socially with lots and lots of partying, basically trying to cram the missed high school experience into their first year of college. Her view of incoming IB students was confirmed by several other counselors we consulted as we wanted to verify her thoughts. While he still wanted to do IB, knowing our son, we convinced him that having the entire high school experience was more important than the single mindedness of academics of the IB program. It was what was best for our son and as I have mentioned, we have never regretted the decision.
Both IB and AP are wonderful programs and there are benefits from both far beyond just getting credit in college for the classes. Choosing really depends on what works for your son, how he studies and what he wants from his high school experience.
Actually the article said the opposite...that students received more credit for AP classes at UVA...and there was a link to other articles discussing other schools.
