IB Irregular Diploma with 3 Sciences
I really really need help with choosing the most appropriate subjects for IB. As you all know more about its regulations,I hope you can help me to clear up a few uncertainties. I have asked this question many times but have recieved different responses from many different people, I would like to hear what everyone has got to say.
As you know a normal IB diploma require candidates to choose subjects from different areas. However, because of my strong interest for science I have selected all three sciences (chemistry, biology, physics). I know that universities does not require 3 sciences but I find it difficult to drop any of them. My school has applied to IBO and a special permission has been granted for me to carry out the irregular diploma.
So my question is, would universities (especially the ones in the US) accept this irregular diploma as a qualification for admission? And would the lack of a social science affect my application?
Also, do you think it's worth the trouble? Should I just neglect Physics and take up something else, like say history or psychology or economics?
Thanks
As you know a normal IB diploma require candidates to choose subjects from different areas. However, because of my strong interest for science I have selected all three sciences (chemistry, biology, physics). I know that universities does not require 3 sciences but I find it difficult to drop any of them. My school has applied to IBO and a special permission has been granted for me to carry out the irregular diploma.
So my question is, would universities (especially the ones in the US) accept this irregular diploma as a qualification for admission? And would the lack of a social science affect my application?
Also, do you think it's worth the trouble? Should I just neglect Physics and take up something else, like say history or psychology or economics?
Thanks
What do you want to study in uni?
The best bet would be to email the unis. It's an interesting question, I'd have said that the university wants someone who's good at the subject, and someone who's doing 3 sciences obviously has a science flair. On the other hand, the whole point of the IB is that it shows all rounded-ness, and dropping a social science will be obvious on any application and could be a weakness.
I'm assuming you'd take all 3 at HL? Taking one at SL would be more damaging IMO than taking a group 3 at SL.
Could you take physics as a certificate subject?
I'd advise dropping physics and taking either psychology (if you like biology) or economics (if you're more mathsy/physicsy).
It depends what you want to do really...
I don't know if any of that makes sense!
The best bet would be to email the unis. It's an interesting question, I'd have said that the university wants someone who's good at the subject, and someone who's doing 3 sciences obviously has a science flair. On the other hand, the whole point of the IB is that it shows all rounded-ness, and dropping a social science will be obvious on any application and could be a weakness.
I'm assuming you'd take all 3 at HL? Taking one at SL would be more damaging IMO than taking a group 3 at SL.
Could you take physics as a certificate subject?
I'd advise dropping physics and taking either psychology (if you like biology) or economics (if you're more mathsy/physicsy).
It depends what you want to do really...
I don't know if any of that makes sense!
I doubt US unis care; after all lots of internationals get in with very 'focused' subjects e.g. British people who may well take Physics, Maths, F. Maths and Chemistry (all very scientific) or stuff like that and still get in.
More important is, do you like Physics? Or would you prefer to be doing a social science? Don't think about it from American universities' POV (they don't care much as long as you are doing the IB) but about whether you would enjoy it - IB is hellish enough without taking subjects you don't enjoy while fully knowing you could be doing something else
More important is, do you like Physics? Or would you prefer to be doing a social science? Don't think about it from American universities' POV (they don't care much as long as you are doing the IB) but about whether you would enjoy it - IB is hellish enough without taking subjects you don't enjoy while fully knowing you could be doing something else
I did an irregular diploma with three sciences though I had Physics at SL. It's not as bad as it sounds-at least I thought so but it does mean you need to keep abreast of your work throughout the two years. I can't give you advice on US unis tho coz I study in England. Sorry!
In the US lack of a social sciences could possibly hurt you- many of your top schools have some sort of Social Science requirement,
for example, here are the recommended preparation requirements for MIT-
* One year of high school physics
* One year of high school chemistry
* One year of high school biology
* Math, through calculus
* Two years of a foreign language
* Four years of English
* Two years of history and/or social sciences
Mind you, most of the Ivys recommend more of Social Science requirement/preparation.
Its not the end of the world, taking 3 sciences can show you are a risk taker, especially if its 3 at HL.
for example, here are the recommended preparation requirements for MIT-
* One year of high school physics
* One year of high school chemistry
* One year of high school biology
* Math, through calculus
* Two years of a foreign language
* Four years of English
* Two years of history and/or social sciences
Mind you, most of the Ivys recommend more of Social Science requirement/preparation.
Its not the end of the world, taking 3 sciences can show you are a risk taker, especially if its 3 at HL.
I'm currently taking..
HL: Biology, Chemistry, English A1, Mathematics, Physics
SL: Psychology, French AB
It would be wiser to take the extra subject (if you really desire to have the three main sciences), rather than skipping a vital component of study. Universities who receive a 'special' IB diploma versus the additional subject diploma may pick the latter.
It also matters how well you do in these three sciences; you should aim for a 667 minimum to ensure that your specific diploma does not act as weak link.
Also, if the workload seems insane, you could consider a regular social science course?
If you plan to take an additional subject, reintegrating the social science, I recommend taking PSY if you are able to write fine essays; it is a piece of cake compared to say the massive study necessary for HIS or ECO. You basically write 4 essay questions for P1 and a single option (most likely Dysfunctional Behaviour or Psychodynamics). Also, it is extremely interesting if you haven't taken any form of PSY before (e.g. I have taken HIS for years and loved the breath of fresh air).
Hope you find what suits you best.
HL: Biology, Chemistry, English A1, Mathematics, Physics
SL: Psychology, French AB
It would be wiser to take the extra subject (if you really desire to have the three main sciences), rather than skipping a vital component of study. Universities who receive a 'special' IB diploma versus the additional subject diploma may pick the latter.
It also matters how well you do in these three sciences; you should aim for a 667 minimum to ensure that your specific diploma does not act as weak link.
Also, if the workload seems insane, you could consider a regular social science course?
If you plan to take an additional subject, reintegrating the social science, I recommend taking PSY if you are able to write fine essays; it is a piece of cake compared to say the massive study necessary for HIS or ECO. You basically write 4 essay questions for P1 and a single option (most likely Dysfunctional Behaviour or Psychodynamics). Also, it is extremely interesting if you haven't taken any form of PSY before (e.g. I have taken HIS for years and loved the breath of fresh air).
Hope you find what suits you best.
I did all three with Bio at SL, and math at HL. With bio at SL your workload is basically 0 except for lab reports. For final exams, I revised the weekend before for it- there really isn't much in it (But I spose I got lucky with my exam time tables haha). I found the workload manageable as I enjoy working on science/math. I hated doing english work, so having a social science may not have given me more work but I would have felt I was working more, which might be the same for you if you really enjoy science.
Original post by alleycat393
I did an irregular diploma with three sciences though I had Physics at SL. It's not as bad as it sounds-at least I thought so but it does mean you need to keep abreast of your work throughout the two years. I can't give you advice on US unis tho coz I study in England. Sorry!
Hi! I'm actually thinking of doing the irregular diploma. I want to study medicine in an UK university. Will I be disadvantaged because of this? Thanks
Original post by Jemzzz
Hi! I'm actually thinking of doing the irregular diploma. I want to study medicine in an UK university. Will I be disadvantaged because of this? Thanks
Disadvantaged in what way?
Original post by alleycat393
Disadvantaged in what way?
As in for the admission to university itself. Do they consider you the same as someone who is doing a normal diploma?
Original post by Jemzzz
As in for the admission to university itself. Do they consider you the same as someone who is doing a normal diploma?
No you won't be disadvantaged or treated differently. Personally if I had to do it all again I wold probably do psychology instead of physics so that I could do something different that I'm also interested in. I didn't need to do physics.
Quote if you want a reply!
BSc Biochemistry University of York
Working towards a PhD at Queen Mary University of London
Original post by alleycat393
No you won't be disadvantaged or treated differently. Personally if I had to do it all again I wold probably do psychology instead of physics so that I could do something different that I'm also interested in. I didn't need to do physics.
Quote if you want a reply!
BSc Biochemistry University of York
Working towards a PhD at Queen Mary University of London
Quote if you want a reply!
BSc Biochemistry University of York
Working towards a PhD at Queen Mary University of London
Thank you so much for your help so far. Please do let me know if you think there is anything I should know regarding the irregular diploma. Thank you(:
i will also be starting the irregular ib diploma with physics sl and would be applying to european universities...could you please tell me if your experiance was worth it and anything else about the course in general
So we are in a pickle at the moment because our son would need to opt out biology or physics, but that would disqualify him from many scientific orientated studies in Sweden, where he would be able to attend Uni for free. In Sweden you need to have 3 sciences. He doesn't have Sweden as his first choice, but he would like to have it as a choice. He could do an non-regular IB with 3 sciences, but does anyone from the UK know if you would need to have social sciences to apply for ex engineering or medicine? Just trying to understand the system. Thanks!
Similar problem, I am currently year 11, choosing IB options, and hope to become a biomedical engineer, and completing uni in the US. I've already chosen French SL, English Lit and Lang, SL, and Maths AA HL. As most engineering courses find DT useful, I was hoping to complete Physics HL, Biology HL, and DT SL. Would you advise doing it - not regarding the work load - but instead , the acceptance of Unis.
Original post by alleycat393
I did an irregular diploma with three sciences though I had Physics at SL. It's not as bad as it sounds-at least I thought so but it does mean you need to keep abreast of your work throughout the two years. I can't give you advice on US unis tho coz I study in England. Sorry!
Hii, I actually want to do an irregular diploma and apply to unis in the UK or Europe so I wanted to know if u had any difficulties getting into a uni with ur irregular diploma or most didn’t mind it
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