Reasons to do the International Baccalaureate program, and reasons NOT to do it?
Hey there, I'm a pre-IB student.
Um, I kind of want to leave the IB because I think it distracts me from my ultimate priorities in life: science and art (I want to get obsessed and spend as much time as possible on them), and really the only thing I needed to learn from the IB program was to manage my time and be organized.
But on the other hand I think it's a great course, and want to STAY in it too, just because it's so challenging, opens the door for admission in foreign universities, and gives you a pretty curriculum.
I'm stuck in my own dichotomy, and don't know what to do. Opinions?
Re: Reasons to do the International Baccalaureate program, and reasons NOT to do it?
You can also take two sciences, or two arts if you feel restricted by the program. Also, you're allowed the opportunity with the extended essay to specialise in one of the two, or even a combination (don't ask me how that's feasible, but if you could come up with some reasonable ideas, you may not be so averse to it.)
What's your other option? - You could juxtapose the courses against each other.
Re: Reasons to do the International Baccalaureate program, and reasons NOT to do it?
Originally Posted by Ayla Phoenix
You can also take two sciences, or two arts if you feel restricted by the program. Also, you're allowed the opportunity with the extended essay to specialise in one of the two, or even a combination (don't ask me how that's feasible, but if you could come up with some reasonable ideas, you may not be so averse to it.)
What's your other option? - You could juxtapose the courses against each other.
I think that depends on the school?
My school allowed taking 2 sciences or humanities, but not 2 arts or B Languages
Re: Reasons to do the International Baccalaureate program, and reasons NOT to do it?
take arts+sciences for higher level, and then tailor your CAS activities to center around them too.
Help out in lower school art lessons, run an art club, run a gcse/sat science revision class, volunteer with a local ecology group, volunteer in an art gallery (shop, tours,etc).
Also, another point about the IB that I really like, is that even though it forces you to take quite a range of subjects, you can tailor them to your own needs. It's mainly the courseworks I'm talking about - you can choose what topics you want to research, how you want to approach it and your own titles. It's meant that I've been able to alter all of my courseworks at the moment to suit my interests. For example, in maths one person is basing it on psychology (perception of beauty) and another on biology (effect of food on something I can't remember).
You also have the EE which can do on whatever you like. For art, someone is doing a comparison between 4 paintings, all painted around the same time, but approached very differently. In science someone's doing something about levitation.
So even though you do have to study a wide range of things, there is space to alter it a bit to concentrate more on certains things, and less on others.
However, if the IB isn't for you, then don't feel like you should take it just because you feel you have to. If you know what you want to do, and A levels offers that, then by all means take it. You wont be at any disadvantage for doing so.
Re: Reasons to do the International Baccalaureate program, and reasons NOT to do it?
^ lol.
no IB is pretty cool .. u will want to kill youself around the end of yr1, but its good when u actually make it to the end
Do the IB! we should all suffer together!
Re: Reasons to do the International Baccalaureate program, and reasons NOT to do it?
If I actually did work in IB1, IB2 wouldn't have been that bad.. But as I skipped half of year 11 and I left all the work to grade 12 it was pretty stressful, well is stressful- exams in four weeks!!!
Back to the topic:
I think you can focus pretty well on your passions Science and Arts in IB, and to study a humanity and language in SL won't kill you and is, in my view important as well, although you might not be as passionate about it..
Re: Reasons to do the International Baccalaureate program, and reasons NOT to do it?
As much as i hate to break this to you....uni will eventually kill one of those (science and art). If you want to stay that broad, the IB is your best bet which would still give you that opportunity. Cuz if you do say...2 a-level arts and 2 a-level sciences (or 1 art, 2 sciences, or whatever ). The uni admission are gonna go "what's he on about?" and you will be disadvantaged when compared to those who have specialised.
I agree with the above in tailoring your CAS around arts and take art and science at HL...i would suggest 2 sciences because art is something you can do as a hobby and it's the science degree which gives you better career prospects.
Re: Reasons to do the International Baccalaureate program, and reasons NOT to do it?
You will probably feel more relaxed if you take A levels, particularly in the second year because you won't have the workload of things like the Extended Essay and ToK Essay...
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Reasons to do the International Baccalaureate program, and reasons NOT to do it?
(science and art). If you want to stay that broad, the IB is your best bet which would still give you that opportunity. Cuz if you do say...2 a-level arts and 2 a-level sciences (or 1 art, 2 sciences, or whatever ). The uni admission are gonna go "what's he on about?" and you will be disadvantaged when compared to those who have specialised.
