ECA vs IB

The Early College Academy (ECA) logo featured in front of a generated college background. ECA is a program that allows high-school to take college courses and earn their Associates Degree alongside their High School Diploma. Photo Credit: KCPS

Lincoln offers multiple programs that you can do as an upperclassman. But as an underclassman, deciding on what to do can be very difficult. The stress of making a decision that could determine the rest of your high school career can cause a lot of worry or anxiety. But the choice doesn’t have to be as stressful as some people make it. With the right information, you can make the decision that is right for you. 

IB

The International Baccalaureate program, or the IB program is the most common program around Lincoln. But what does the full IB program entail? The full IB program is a two-year program during your Junior and Senior years in which you must take six IB classes as well as theory of knowledge(TOK). On top of taking the required IB courses, you must also complete the extended essay(EE), creative, activity, and service hours(CAS hours). IB like any other program can be overwhelming. With the right preparation, you can relieve some of the stress that comes with the workload.

“It does get overwhelming, sometimes you have a week where we have IA’s IO’s EE’s everything is due. So it can be overwhelming,” senior Maily Sagastume said. “If you yourself are able to sit down and set a list or prioritize the stuff that is necessary, have a mental plan before you sit down it makes it 10 times less overwhelming.” 

Now that we have addressed in simple terms what IB entails we can discuss the benefits that come with the IB program. Many students choose IB due to the benefits of college acceptance and preparation.

 “University acceptance rates for Full Diploma candidates are higher than they are for the general population that applies to universities. All IB students have the opportunity to earn college credit and being in Full IB does also offer opportunities for different scholarships,”  said IB coordinator Christopher Jennens.

This explains just some of the long-term benefits IB students can experience. Some of the other benefits of IB can be the connection that you build with your peers through projects and classes, at times these are people that you may not have met otherwise. IB is not meant for everyone though, it all depends on the type of person you are and how you learn. And even if you choose not to do full IB there are still dual credit courses for you to take to get the college credit you want.

ECA

There are two Early College Academy (ECA) options, the one-year program and the two- year, I will specifically be focusing on the two-year program however . The two-year ECA program allows students to take college courses at Metropolitan Community College (MCC)  for their junior and senior years. Once you complete your senior year you will graduate with your high school diploma and an Associate of Arts degree. All of the classes taken during this time are taken at MCC, many of the classes are basic college classes or your 101s. Something to consider when thinking about ECA is the fact that you are in classes with adults. This means you are expected to know how to act, the environment is not the same as a high school environment. 

“Some people don't know or don't expect it or don't prepare themselves on how to handle themself in a more mature environment. The people there are older, it ranges from an average of 18-23 college ages to 40 or 50-year-olds,”  junior Anneliese Sisson said.

Like IB, ECA has many long and short-term benefits. The most obvious benefit is earning your Associate's degree when you graduate. This can shorten your college career if you choose to get a higher degree. As an ECA student, you are taking college classes, meaning there is a possibility for a shorter school day as well and you are guaranteed Fridays off. 

“I feel like in college it's more than how to get the grade and how to pass the test, it's like helping you connect with the material and helping you speak your mind so that's one way,” Sisson said.

 Lastly, ECA prepares you for life after high school whether you decide to go to college or not. If you decide college is not for you then you already have an associate's degree, this can make finding a well-paying job easier. If you do plan on going to college you already have college experience and college classes out of the way. 

All of this being said, what program you choose truly depends on the type of person you are. College classes are not for everyone and that goes for IB and high school classes as well. But hopefully, with this information, you can get closer to making the decision that is right for you. If you have questions or want more information, talk to an upperclassman in the program you are considering, reach out to your counselor and schedule a meeting to get more informed.