By Jocelyn Cazares
Editor
Two years ago I was faced with a decision that would mark my entire academic career. The choice of taking AP or IB.
Although I did not know it as a sophomore, my choice to go the IB route not only influenced me academically, but it had a holistic influence in my life—socially, emotionally, and intellectually.
IB has altered who I am for the better, I think. It has motivated thoughts I don’t believe I would have learned in AP or otherwise.
But as a sophomore, I did not expect either program to have such an impact on me. As a self-driven student, I already had experience of what an AP class was like my sophomore year, and without a doubt it was one of the best classes I ever had.
However, when junior registration came around, my decision of IB or AP was not as clear as I thought it would have been. When I first came to Amat I was sure that I would remain in the AP being unaware of the details of IB program. I didn’t want to learn much about it, to be honest. I was convinced that only AP could offer the education I needed to continue to a top-tier college.
The confusion surrounding each program came as a shock to me. My interest in IB slowly began to grow my sophomore year as many of my friends decided to take the Diploma Program. However, my decision to make a sharp u-turn in my planned academic path was a result of an article I had written for The Lance—which in itself is quite shocking.
Due to my indecision I was prompted to write a story about my journey to make a decision about AP and IB where I would research both programs, interview students and teachers alike involved in AP or IB, and finally come to my own conclusion of which I preferred.
It was in the interview process that IB became my sole option, although I was confident I could succeed in both programs. Listening to the IB students who I interviewed speak of the program so fondly completely had won me over.
It was clear that they had experienced something that had forever bonded them all in search of that IB Diploma. Furthermore, hearing the amazing responses from colleges that they had received convinced me that IB would provide a well-rounded education that consisted of philosophy, critical thinking, the sciences, economics, and the arts.
So, I chose IB because of an assignment article, figures.
