In the ongoing debate between the IB and AP programs, students often wonder what option universities really prefer. At my last school, which offered IB, AP, and standard high school diplomas, students would often debate which was the “better” option. From a parent and counselor perspective, I’ve found that IB students tend to be more independent with their learning and more comfortable handling abstract topics. AP, on the other hand, tends to provide students with very specific instructions, which might not always prepare them for the independent work required at university. However, AP does offer greater flexibility and no strict two-year programs, allowing students more freedom to construct their ideal sequence of courses. When students ask university reps if their institution has a curriculum preference, the response is understandably ‘we will work with your transcript regardless of what type of coursework you have taken’. To help students make better choices, I wonder what trends universities have noticed in how IB and AP students compare in readiness, their graduation rates, their ability to tackle complex tasks, and to be independent learners?
