The "Which IB subjects should I choose" Thread

Most of what you said is true but thought I would point out that - Oxford doesn't maintain a 'non-preferred subjects' category officially and unofficially. They care a lot more about academic potential and interest in the subject you wish to pursue rather than subject choices. In fact Cambridge as a university doesn't have an official list either - it's only Trinity College that publishes one.

...Whether it was Oxford, Cambridge, LSE or Imperial, Business Studies was always included in the 'non-preferred subjects' category...

Second thing I don't agree with is your sweeping statement that it gives you no suitable foundation. I took both Econ and B&M at HL and they were vastly different subjects. I would say it's easier to get a decent grade in B&M than Econ but it's harder to get a 7 in B&M. A 7 in Econ is really quite straightforward. B&M can be quite a handful in some parts - it uses a ton of theories and models (A LOT more than Econ) so there's quite a bit of memorising too. Having said that, you're spot on - universities do frown upon it (for whatever reason, it beats me) both in the UK and the US so it's best not taken if Econ is an option available.

Sorry, just had to voice my opinion on those statements everything else I definitely agree to and advertise to applicants.

I stand corrected in that case. Let me amend that statement to:



I cannot argue with you about the comparison between Economics and Business as thoroughly as I would like to since I never pursued Business when in the IB. However, a number of my friends went down the same route as you and took both Economics and Business at HL. Across the board, I got to hear from them how painfully simple B&M was. Perhaps there is a lot of memorisation and more theories and what-not, but I find it hard to believe that it was that challenging when you have admitted that achieving a higher grade (though not necessarily a 7, but I am not completely convinced of this as well) is much easier with B&M than with Economics.

From the statistics that I have seen in my own school, I had a friend who was in B&M HL and in my Economics HL class as well. He would fly through with a consistent 6 in B&M (and eventually got a 6 as well), while he struggled to get a 5 in Economics HL (and ended up scraping a 5 in the IB exams with a lot of hard work).

The teachers were equally good and favoured for both classes, yet the statistics showed that the average in Economics HL was a 5.0~something and that for B&M went up to a 6.~something. Also, we would have a staggering percentage (5 or 6 of 17) of HL students in my batch (if I remember correctly) get 7s in B&M HL at my old school; while only a relative minority would achieve the same with Economics HL (I was one of 3 who got 7s in Economics HL that year out of four HL classes totalling to about 40-45 students). A 6.67% grade 7 rate for Economics HL versus a 29-35% grade 7 rate for B&M HL.



That's cool, like I said before, I have an opinion and I will voice it; and you are completely free and entitled to do the same.

Currently I am about to study Economics, History and Maths at Higher Level and English, French and Chemistry at Standard Level in IB in the hope to study PPE at university.
However, I have been given a final opportunity to change my subjects and I was thinking about changing to make it more science orientated to keep science subjects as an option for Uni.
Do you think that having an option setup such as Maths, History and Chemistry at HL and French, English and Biology at SL would harm my chances of securing a place to study PPE at a top university. For example, Oxford mention that it is not necessary to have studied either Politcs, Philosophy or Economics; only Higher Level Maths. However, would I need a reason not to have studied Economics and chosen Science subjects instead?
Any help (particularly from PPE students) would be greatly valued! Thankyou in advance.

I apologise I'm aware of that, but I know I'm taking maths anyway. I'm sking about whether to drop Economics and how useful it is for getting in to study PPE.

thanks again arrowhead. i have considered all your advices and came up with these subjects
higher: bio, english and , math standards (hopefully)
standard: b&m, french and chem
whew.

i want to do medicine and most universities want some degree of maths.
my school has either got HL or maths studies. they do NOT have SL.

i currently do studies. i realise this may not be enough to get into med school but i honestly feel i couldnt handle maths HL on a whim. i could probably manage if it was my last resort but i dont want to have to do it if it is not necessary.

Btw what is IB? I knew someone at uni who did this and was a little snobbish about it. I'm guessing its supposed to be harder than a-level?

Your subjects are fine. But if you are serious of keeping Economics open as an option, then maybe you should consider Maths HL as well. Most of the good Unis require you to have Maths HL when applying for Economics courses (they actually don't need you to have Economics, just Maths).

For Law, English HL is all that is really important.

Between Psychology and Philosophy, I would say Psychology, because you will be doing an "Intro to Philosophy" anyway when you do ToK, so it becomes a bit of an overkill in that respect. But go for it if it interests you more.

Cheers,
Arrowhead.