What Are The Benefits Of Diploma

[ddcreature]

I'm currently in diploma and I am wondering what are the benefits of it? I have started TOK and it got wondering about the actual benefits of the IB diploma. At universities, scholarships, recognition, etc...

[citizenoftheuniverse]

Well, depends on what university system you want to apply to. The greatest benefit is if you apply to European universities, since the IB Diploma is very similar to how European matriculation exams work so it is easier to calculate equivalencies. In the US, on the other hand, the IB diploma does not give much benefit, depending on the university. Many universities only accept credit for HL subjects for example, yet accept credit for AP, even though AP is more similar in scope to SL. I don't know exactly about Canada, but my impression is that it is better accepted there than in the US, so I'm sure you should be fine.

[citizenoftheuniverse]

http://www.postcity.com/Post-City-Magazines/September-2013/To-IB-or-not-to-IB/

"Ken Withers, the director of the office of student recruitment at the University of Toronto, says that the university is “very keen” on admitting successful IB students.

“We will provide an early conditional offer based on predicted IB scores that meet or exceed our entry requirements,” he explains.

He also notes that the University will award up to three transfer credits — equivalent to three full-year undergraduate courses — to high-scoring IB Diploma graduates. This is not an uncommon reception. The majority of Canadian universities acknowledge the IB Diploma and offer incentives to students applying for undergraduate study.

In addition, and in keeping with the intent of the curriculum, a wealth of international universities recognize IB graduates. Branksome Hall tallies over 2,200 top institutions that value their students’ IB Diplomas, asserting that “the best higher education institutions seek out and reward IB graduates.”

And admission is just the beginning. IB graduates also frequently find themselves better prepared for university-level study. Cowie explains that IB programming requires students to complete regular analytical writing and oral assignments, which are more common in post-secondary schooling. A 4,000-word final research essay must be submitted in order to earn the IB Diploma, readying students for undergraduate papers and theses.

The TDSB debates dissolved when parents, students and teachers who recognized the benefits of the IB argued its value for all students. This is a concept that many Toronto private schools have embraced over the past decade. Because even though an IB education is not essential for Canadian university admission and success, it may be the best way to ensure a student has all the opportunity in the world."

So basically you can get up to three transfer credits, at least at Toronto.

[ddcreature]

Thank you, this information is very useful. Whilst writing an essay I asked myself "why am doing this?" and the question has been coming up a lot in TOK. Nobody has explained any benefits at my school. Have you found it benefitting?

[Garrett !?]

US public universities actually accept and give a lot of credit just for receiving your diploma. The one issue with that is the private universities only give credit for certain HL classes. So depending on where you want to go to school, IB can actually give you more credit than AP or the Canadian equivalent.

[by.andrew]

US public universities actually accept and give a lot of credit just for receiving your diploma. The one issue with that is the private universities only give credit for certain HL classes. So depending on where you want to go to school, IB can actually give you more credit than AP or the Canadian equivalent.

Yeah, certain schools give you enough credits to bypass first year just for completing the diploma. If you took HLs, you can even skip required courses that you need for your degree so you can potentially graduate in 3 years if you took the right combination of courses.