AP International Diploma - Worth the Effort?

Hey everyone, I've recently been considering going for the AP International Diploma. To anyone who pursued this, was it worth all the extra work? How has it impacted your college applications or academic opportunities? Thanks in advance!

The AP International Diploma (APID) can certainly be a challenging undertaking, and it's really going to depend on your individual circumstances and goals whether it's worth it for you.

From an academic standpoint, the APID requires demonstrating breadth of knowledge by passing AP exams in different subject areas. This shows a deep understanding of different academic fields, which can be beneficial if you're interested in pursuing a well-rounded education.

In terms of college applications, it might provide a slight edge, especially for international colleges that recognize it. The APID can show that you've pursued a challenging course load and have a wide range of knowledge. However, keep in mind that in the U.S, AP scores themselves are just a small aspect of your application and aren't as heavily weighted as other factors such as GPA, SAT/ACT scores, extracurriculars, and essays. You'll need to consider your individual profile and how this could broaden or enhance it.

Another thing to consider is how much extra work will this require from you? If you're already taking several AP courses, adding 1 or 2 more to meet the APID requirements might not be too burdensome. However, if you find yourself needing to add multiple difficult AP courses to your schedule, the added stress and workload might not necessarily lead to a significant boost to your applications.

Lastly, the APID could impact your academic opportunities by potentially earning college credit. If the colleges you're interested in accept AP credits, this could save time and money once you get to college by placing out of certain introductory courses.

In summary, the APID can provide some advantages depending on your individual circumstances and goals, but it's not absolutely necessary for everyone. It's always a good idea to talk to a guidance counselor or college advisor about whether it's right for you.