Q: Will I be able to choose my supervisor?
A: No. Your supervisor will be assigned by the DP and EE Coordinators. While we will do our best to match you with your current subject teacher when possible, this is not always possible when many students are writing in the same subject. Instead, we will try to match students with appropriate teachers based on their specific areas of interest and expertise.
Q: Can I write my essay in a subject I am not currently studying?
No. You must pursue your EE in a subject you are enrolled in as a DP student (this may include online courses, such as Psychology). This is because the level of knowledge required for an EE is extensive and if you are not taking the corresponding course, your chances of gaining the level of knowledge needed for success are not as high.
Q: Can I write my essay in an subject I am studying as an SL student?
A: This is not recommended, for the reasons noted above. However, it will be be considered on a case by case basis.
Q: What if I start my essay and I want to change my topic and/or subject? When is it too late to do this?
A: It is normal for your research question and thus, your topic, to be adjusted during the research and planning period. This is because your research, interviews and experiments might lead you to unexpected - and exciting - places. However, the topic and research question should be very firm by the time you begin writing your draft.
The subject needs to be firmly decided upon much earlier. You will spend several weeks learning about the different subjects, discussing possible topics with teachers, and conducting preliminary research. After this point, you should be firmly decided on your subject. Otherwise, you will lose needed time and it may be difficult or impossible to find you a supervisor.
Q: Is there a subject that it is easier to write a successful Extended Essay in?
A: No. A subject that might be accessible for one student could pose a huge challenge to another. Write in a subject you feel confident in, and one you have genuine interest in. If you are engaged by your topic, your chances of success will rise. Also, listen to your teachers. They will tell you if they think a subject/topic poses a challenge to you.
Q: My friend at another school told me that their school has earlier/later deadlines than AISB. Why is this?
A: While there are specific dates when each school must upload the EEs, they allow schools to set their own internal deadlines. At AISB, these deadlines are set with your other DP requirements in mind, so that you won't be too overwhelmed at any specific point over the two years. Because other schools will have different calendars and deadlines, the dates will be different from school to school. In addition, we need time before submitting the essays to assess and moderate your essays.
What does this mean for you? Well, you shouldn't worry that you are "behind" if another school has earlier deadlines. You also don't get to miss AISB's deadlines because another school has later ones.