1. You want to go to college abroad.

IB is a globally recognized curriculum that almost all colleges understand and accept. While you should do further research on whether the colleges you want prefer IB, this curriculum can not only make you stand out, but also give you the skills to write better essays and the opportunities to do more ECAs (ex. CAS!)

2. You want to choose your own subjects.

IB not only allows you to focus on only 6 main subjects. It also allows you to choose which ones you want, and which ones you don't. This means that you can choose based on your strengths and enjoy subjects that other strands don't offer, like Visual Arts.

3. You're ready to work hard and be challenged.

You've heard this a thousand times, but IB has a very different approach as compared to JHS. It isn't an easy adjustment. If you're ready to write tons of essays, sit for hour-long papers, and prepare for tests that might mean 10% of your grade each time, then by all means, take IB.

1. You don't want to go to college abroad.

While many people still take IB even if they want to study locally, this may be one consideration for you, especially due to the added cost. Many of us attest to the fact that IB is still good preparation for local universities though, and some schools even allow alternative testing routes through IB score alone.

2. You already really like another SHS strand.

If you really like the topics you'll have in HUMSS, the broader spectrum of classes you'll have in STEM, or want to do a graded entrep project like ABM, then don't force yourself to go IB. If your heart is already set on another SHS strand for sure, follow it there.

3. You don't want the extra workload.

IB students (in non-pandemic conditions) study up to May in the summer of their second year for externals, not to mention our essays, IAs, and other requirements. If you don't feel like these are challenges you want to undertake, IB may not be for you.

Since the beginning of junior high school, I was very interested in studying college abroad. When ICA began giving the IB orientations to my batch, they never failed to mention that joining this program would be very advantageous for anyone who wanted to pursue international studies. After hearing all the upsides of joining IB, I was pretty convinced that I should join since it would eventually help me with my college applications. Then again, with the good comes the, well, not so good. None of the speakers in these orientations forgot to mention the rigor and level of difficulty IB students would have to face in their two years in this program. To say I became extremely hesitant and intimidated would be an understatement. I took a lot of time to think things through and really ask myself “Can I do this?”. Eventually, I weighed the pros and cons, talked to my family, and asked advice from my friends who were planning to take a similar path as me. I also took into consideration my extra-curricular activities, the level of commitment I was capable of giving, and whether or not I would have time for myself, which kind of translated to “Will I ever sleep if I join IB?”. Although I expected and pretty much knew IB was going to be one of the hardest things I would ever have to do in my life, I understood the benefits of joining the program in the long run. I am extremely grateful for the fact that applying for IB was one of the easier parts that came with this program. The requirements were pretty manageable. I remember being the most worried about the interviews because honestly, who enjoys interviews? If you’re considering applying, I’m gonna be honest with you and say, the 1000 word essay was so much harder than the interviews. The interviews were actually really chill and the interviewers asked questions that were more about you as a student than anything else. The Chinese part wasn’t the easiest thing in the world but I promise, basic Chinese you know will go a long way. My advice for anyone who is considering IB is just to really think it through. I’m not gonna sugarcoat it and say IB will be a walk in the park as long as you work hard because even if you do, you’re bound to want to cry at least twice a month and sleep at 2 am at least once a week. That is why before you make the grand decision of joining the program, ask yourself why you want to do it and how will it benefit you in the future. If your reasons feel enough to you, then go for it. You’re going to need a lot of commitment, hard work, coffee, time-management skills, and perseverance but as long as you take it one step at a time, I’m sure you can survive the rollercoaster that is the IB program. Good luck and I hope you do what’s best for you! (Adrienne Wang, Cohort 2)