IB vs. AP

LCC is the only school is the SDUHSD school district that supports the IB and AP programs. With so many great classes to chose from, it can be hard to know what route you want to go down; all AP? All IB? Maybe a little bit of both? I personally take all AP classes, but have friends who are going for the IB diploma, and some who take a mix as well. After asking some questions, I can now answer what the main differences between the two programs are.

AP is very by the book curriculum and testing. You take an AP class, you study for what is going to be on the AP exam, and you take the exam in May. Some say its closer to the classes you would take in a college, if you go to a larger public school. AP classes are weighted and look great on college applications (if you do well in the class, of course.)

IB classes are much more abstract and hands on. You typically take a class over the course of two years (like IB English, for example), and take a final IB test your Senior year. Some classes though, like Science, are only year long classes in which you take a test at the end of one school year. There are also IB Research papers, which are graded by the IB board, and are large projects in which you look at an aspect of a class through a different lens. IB  classes are weighted the same as AP classes, and also look great on college applications. 

There is the long going debate that one route is harder than the other, but I simply don't think either is true. They are each hard for their own reasons. Both are very rigorous classes that require a lot of time and effort. IB has a little bit more freedom with what you do and say, but has less freedom in your schedule if you are going for the diploma, for you have to take a lot of classes. You are more likely to have a free period(s) if you take AP classes.

If you want to know more about the differences between AP and IB classes, go to your counselor! They are experts in the subject and would love to help.