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@Charlene
0 answers, 3 votes
 • 4 years ago •
Admissions Advice

Will dropping IB DP look bad?

I'm currently a junior in the IB diploma program, and I'm planning on dropping the program this upcoming second semester. I'm dropping not because of this rigor (though it is hard) but because what is being taught personally does not align with my views. I plan on doing AP classes. My grades are pretty good (A's, 4.0 GPA) but will dropping the program look bad to colleges?

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1 answer

1
@Kefe
65 answers, 67 votes
 • 4 years ago

I mean I don't see why it wouldn't look bad, it looks to the AO like you're skimping on work, but I think you can explain in the additional info section on your application next year why you decided to quit, not because you were lazy. I am wondering what views you have that don't align, if you would be able to share that. I don't assume that the IBDP curriculum is teaching racist or sexist issues so hmm. If you can replace all those IB with AP, I guess that could work, but dropping IB would definitely raise an eyebrow.

Hope that helps!

1
@eg.student4 years ago

I could be wrong, but in my experience as a senior whose taken 8 classes of IB or 5 courses (three 2 year) the culture can be a bit elitist. I've had people tell me I'm not that smart for getting less than 6s on exams, not taking IB English, and choosing to take a mix of honors, IBs, and APs. Not everyone has talked like this, but even the teachers at my school talk down on other classes.

@Kefe4 years ago

I think that due to the heavy competition in the college application industry, so many people are constantly trying to one-up each other, and consider some prestigious colleges like the Ivies the end all be all. So when they hear you only took 8 IB (which is very good actually, at least for 98% for schools), they compare you to the people who got into all the Ivies and call you dumb, when in reality there are other colleges that would love to have you. But, I don't understand the connection.

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