Many parents of high school students ask if Advanced Placement (AP) courses are worth the effort.

AP classes develop certain disciplines and expose students to coursework that will be advantageous to them when they enter college. This is especially true for students who decide to major in the areas of science, technology, engineering or math.

Unfortunately, many students enter college unprepared because they shy away from taking the more difficult classes.

This is the time of year when parents of eighth-grade students are deciding whether to send their children to a magnet program. Also, 11th and 12th-grade students will take the AP and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams later this spring.

Both are important, and parents and students must understand the impacts  of their decisions as they prepare for college.

Parents and students should consider several factors when deciding whether to take AP courses or enroll in an IB program. If a student has the following attributes, then he is probably a good candidate for IB
• Has demonstrated that he is a strong student by having a high GPA (3.0 or better) in core subjects (math, English, science)
• Does well in current honors courses.
• Does more than the minimum amount of work required.
• Looks for ways to challenge himself outside the classroom.
• Is interested in what he is learning and ask questions.
• Is always prepared. Keeps up with reading, studies for tests, and turns in assignments on time.
• Is organized and manages time and responsibilities well.

IB programs in high school are designed for students who are prepared to handle more challenging courses. In addition, the community service component of this program can be demanding for some students.

Therefore, if students intend to be involved in other extracurricular activities, they must be able to manage their time well. Students enrolled in the IB program need to understand the long-term goals, one of which is to develop the skills and maturity to enter college well prepared. A student should enter this program with a clear set of goals and objectives. Otherwise he may become overwhelmed and discouraged.

Another goal when entering the IB program is to score high enough on the course exam to receive college credit. Do not assume a certain score on the exam automatically secures college credit. Students should check with the admission’s office of the colleges they are interested in attending to determine the school’s guidelines.

Most competitive colleges will require that students take the higher-level exam as opposed to the standard exam. For instance:

• At Duke University, placement and credit are available for IB higher-level examinations with scores of 6 and 7.
• At UNC Chapel Hill, the math department does not award credit for the standard-level exams and students must score a 5, 6, or 7 on the higher-level exam to be awarded credits.
• At NC Central University, students must score 5, 6, or 7 on the higher-level exam to be awarded credit.

Again, check with the college admissions office and do not assume that your student will receive college credit based on the IB exam score alone.
The IB program is well recognized among colleges and universities around the country but does not guarantee admission. Each school determines which student to admit based on its own set of criteria.

However, a successful IB student (high GPA and test scores) should do well in gaining college admission and securing scholarships. On the other hand, enrolling in the IB program and struggling academically is not a good position to be in.

Competitive colleges are looking for students who have proven that they can be successful academically and are involved outside the classroom. If an IB student finds himself struggling academically early in high school prior to taking the more difficult 11th and 12th grade IB courses, then the IB program may not be the best route – especially if the student is putting forth the effort to be successful.

If this is the case, parents should meet with their student’s teachers to determine if he should continue in an IB program.

Whatever your choice, remember that a student does not have to be enrolled in an IB program to be successful in college. However, a successful IB student will be better prepared for the challenges of rigorous college coursework.

Each student should weigh his or her desire and reasons for enrolling in such a program, and whether he or she is willing to put forth the effort necessary to be successful. IB programs are not for everyone, but if your student is a high achiever, they are certainly worth considering.

Macie Caldwell is owner of Macie Caldwell Consulting Services (www.maciecaldwell.org), a Charlotte company that provides information, tools and resources to parents, students and organizations to assist in preparing students early for college. She writes monthly for Qcitymetro.com.

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