Should You Take AP or IB Classes?

Wed, Jan 10, 2024 11:30 AM

When it comes time to help your student build their class schedules each year, it is important to decide if your son or daughter is going to take AP or IB classes. Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) are college-level courses offered in high schools and give students the chance to earn college credit at many, but not all colleges. AP and IB courses are intended to be more difficult than regular high school courses and are designed to prepare your student for the rigors of college.

Be sure to acknowledge and help prepare your student for the amount of extra work and time they will need to put into receiving good grades in these classes. These are definitely not “easy A” courses and will result in your son or daughter doing plenty of homework, reading, and writing papers in the evenings and weekends. One of the benefits of these types of classes is they can help to build a student’s academic resume and potentially increase their admissions and scholarship opportunities in the future. Students often find that in order to be eligible for the most competitive colleges or full-tuition and full ride scholarships offered by colleges – they must show that compared to their peers, they have challenged themselves by taking a rigorous curriculum in high school.

While researching which colleges your student is considering applying to, be sure to see if AB and IB credits will be accepted in the admissions process. Often times, the more selective private colleges and some out-of-state colleges do not accept AP or IB credits. Be sure to do your homework in advance so that the right colleges can be selected, and your student can be rewarded for their years of hard work.

Want to learn more tips and strategies or need an expert to help your family navigate your way through the college process? Schedule a FREE 15-minute Discovery Zoom Meeting with me today so that I can learn more about your student and family and help you cross the admissions finish line successfully.