The Benefits of the IB Diploma Program

The IB Diploma Program encourages students to develop many personal skills that help them become successful in the career of their choice and become successful college and university students.   The IB Program helps them:

• • • • become well-rounded in all areas of academics

      • become good time managers

      •  make real-world connections

      • see connections between disciplines

      • become critical thinkers

      • take control of their own learning and become independent and evaluative thinkers

      • become active, compassionate, life-long learners

      • become more motivated and ready to take on the challenges of university life by becoming a life-long student

      • develop exceptional language skills and display analytical and critical thinking skills

      • realistically be prepared for the rigors of college or a career

Students who experience the IB Program are better prepared for the demands of a college and university workload. An IB course earns a full quality point more than the base weight of the numerical average when calculating the grade point average of a student and therefore affects class rank. In the United States, an IB Diploma often gives a student advanced standing and college credit at colleges and universities. In addition, many colleges actively seek out IB Course and Diploma students to offer them scholarships to attend their college or university. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the IB DP differ from Advanced Placement? (see the IB/AP Comparison Page for more info)

The IB DP is a two-year comprehensive curriculum with a culminating set of externally graded final exams. IB and Advanced Placement (AP) are both university preparatory, academically rigorous programmes. There are important differences, however, in the content and exams. The DP is a cohesive and comprehensive programme, not a collection of individual courses as is the case with Advanced Placement. The most important distinguishing factor is the core of the Diploma Programme (CAS, TOK and extended essay).    

GREER HIGH SCHOOL IB STUDENTS ALSO TAKE AP CREDIT CLASSES IN COMBINATION WITH SOME IB CLASSES.

If all other factors are the same, does a student with an IB Diploma have an advantage over the students with a High School diploma (from another high school) when applying to an American university? Is the IB Diploma more likely to get the student accepted than the High School Diploma?

Yes, please examine the link below of the top 20 most popular university statistics of acceptance rates; a student with an IB Diploma does have an advantage over other students when applying to an American university. Besides recognizing the student as having completed a rigorous course of study, some colleges and universities provide additional benefits for earning an IB Diploma such as scholarships and preferred admission. Colleges and universities award college credit based on the examination scores earned in the IB Program (much like AP courses). In addition, several states have a state law that IB Diploma Program students must be given 30+ hours of college credit for successfully completing the IB Diploma Program. The IB website provides a list of colleges and universities which recognize the IB DP. Please visit the following link: 

Connect to the link - Online List of Individual US College and University IB Policies  

Do IB Diploma students do better on the SAT and ACT than students who are not part of the IB Program?

 Yes. Statistics show that IB students score higher on the SAT and ACT exams.   As you know, these exams are a strong predictor of how successful a student will be in their freshman year of college. 

Will an IB student be any more successful in college or university?

Yes, studies show that IB students are more successful and have a greater completion rate than other students. 

Do colleges grant credit for successful completion of an IB course?

Yes, colleges and universities from around the world grant credit for successful completion of Higher Level IB courses and many grant credit for successful completion of Standard Level IB courses. Every college and university has developed its own policies for both IB and AP college credit. In many cases, colleges give credit for 1 to 4 courses depending on the score the student makes on the IB exam at the end of the course. 

If the student takes the IB courses but does not score high enough to qualify for the IB Diploma, do they still get a High School Diploma? Can they get both diplomas?

Yes, it is possible for a student to be in the IB Program and to earn a SC High School Diploma without earning, an IB Diploma. The situation would be similar to passing an AP History class and failing to earn a 3 or higher on the AP exam. The student would receive the high school Carnegie Unit but not the AP score necessary for college credit. Yes, IB Diploma students can receive both diplomas. 

Do DP students have time for anything beyond academics?

Absolutely. Most successful Diploma Programme students lead very full lives. They are often members of athletic teams and involved in a wide range of activities. Time management and organization are key skills the IB develops in students.

Do DP teachers receive special training?

All DP teachers receive professional development in the IB’s approaches to teaching and approaches to learning from certified IB workshop leaders. This is a requirement for IB World Schools implementing the DP. 

What’s the difference between the diploma and certificates?

Not all students choose to take the full course load leading to a diploma. Instead, some take a few DP courses in areas where they have a particular interest or strength, similar to honors and Advanced Placement classes. Certificates are awarded on a course-by-course basis to students who choose not to do the full programme. Students who satisfactorily complete a DP course earn a certificate and may be eligible for university credit.

For more information, contact the IB Coordinator, Mary H. Smith, at (864) 355-5745 or msmith@greenville.k12.sc.us