IB - Frequently Asked Questions

In deciding whether to take IB classes and whether to complete the Diploma or Certificate requirements consider your goals, your interests and your abilities. The IB program is a challenging course of study for highly motivated 11^th graders who usually plan to attend a 4-year college after graduation.

Q2: Why should I take IB classes?

A. Taking IB classes will prepare you for college and for life.

The primary objective of an IB program is to provide students with a world-class education that will prepare students for college and for the rest of their lives. The rigorous curriculum, the writing of the Extended Essay, the Theory of Knowledge course and the Creativity, Action, and Service component aim to produce well-educated citizens who can think critically, write well, and speak articulately, while managing time and responsibilities well. Students who choose to earn IB Certificates instead of the full IB Diploma will still benefit from having been exposed to the demanding college-level curriculum. A true, world-class education is the primary reason students choose to take IB classes. In addition, the IB program can help you gain admission to college and can get you credit, advanced standing and even scholarships.

Q3: How many IB classes should I take?

A: The right number of IB classes depends on your personal goals.

In general, students should take the most challenging classes in which they can earn mostly A's and B's. To earn an IB Diploma you must take six IB courses during your junior and senior years. (See the attached description of the program). The more selective colleges expect students to take 5 "solids" each year. (English, foreign language, social studies, science, and math). The IB program at Hilhi allows students to choose one or more IB classes and to combine the IB classes with courses from all the other program offerings to create a 4-year sequence that is tailored to the individual student's interests and abilities.

Q4: How do I know if IB is the right choice for me?

A: Here are some of the qualities of a successful ID student.

• Is self-motivated
• Desires an intellectual and academic challenge
• Possesses strong written and oral communication skills
• Enjoys learning and is open to new ideas and new ways of thinking
• Participates in school and community

Q5: Should I try for an IB Diploma? How do I know if it's the right choice for me?

A: Any student who is interested in an IB Diploma should try it.

Any student who is doing well in on-grade level or advanced classes and is strongly motivated to take on an intellectual and academic challenge is encouraged to earn an IB Diploma. There are several points to remember as you make your decision:

• First, if you start out in 9^th or 10^th grade planning to get the IB Diploma and you later change your mind, you will be better prepared for whatever classes you do take because of the rigor of your Pre-IB preparation.
• Second, if you try for an IB Diploma and don't get it, you will still receive many benefits from your efforts. You will have received an outstanding university preparation that will stay with you regardless of how many points you receive. If you are applying to universities in the United States decisions about admissions will be based on your senior year transcript, not on whether you get the Diploma. So, the important factor in admissions will be your work in your IB classes, not your scores on your IB exams. (Your scores WILL be important in decisions about placement and credit. It is very important to do well on your IB exams, unless you want to sit through the same work during your freshman year at college that you did during your junior and senior year of high school.)
• Third, if you don't get enough points for the IB Diploma you will still get an IB Certificate for all the IB classes you take.
• Last, in making your decision, some advice from a former student might help. She recommends that if you are interested, you should try it. It if gets too difficult, you can always drop back into a less challenging schedule. Maybe you'll find as she did, that as difficult as it is, you can still do it, and you'll end up earning an IB Diploma. If not, then the perspective of another student might help. She said that going for the Diploma is like going for the state championship if you are on a sports team. Even if you lose in the final game, the experience was still worth it and you'll still be glad you joined the team and played for the whole season. While some schools express a preference for the IB Diploma, others simply look at whether a student has taken IB courses. Students are advised to consult with their counselor as they plan their IB programs to determine the preferences of individual colleges and universities. In the same way that students consider factors such as size, location, majors, and cost, students should also look at a university's IB policies in determining where to apply. By the same token, if a student has a "dream school" it makes sense to look at how that school views the IB in making the final decision about what IB courses to take during his/her four years at Hillsboro High School.

Q6: Can I get college credit for my work in IB classes.

A: Students completing IB courses and examinations may be granted credit by colleges and universities.

Policies regarding credit for high school courses are developed by individual colleges and universities, not by the International Baccalaureate Organization, and vary widely among different schools. Some schools, such as Oregon State University, will grant students sophomore standing with the completion of an IB Diploma. Students who wish to receive credit for their work in the IB program should consult with their counselors and the IB Coordinator for advice in planning their IB programs and planning which colleges to apply to. A website is available which provides the recognition policies of over 800 North American universities. This site can be found at www.ibo.org diploma program/university recognition. The site also provides links to the college and university web pages and e-mail addresses of individuals at universities or colleges who may be contacted with specific questions about IB recognition at their institution. Students and parents should be aware that the individuals responsible for making admission decisions are not usually the same people who make decisions regarding the awarding of credit. Hilhi counselors and the IB coordinator are pleased to work with students to inform colleges of the rigor and the nature of their work in the IB program in order to ensure that students are awarded a proper amount of credit for their work in IB.

Q7: Can I get advanced standing in college based on my work in the IB program at Hillsboro High School?

A: Students may "place out" of introductory college classes based on their work in the IB program.

Again, colleges and universities, not the IBO, make placement policies. Students and parents should consult the web site or consult with the IB Coordinator for information about specific institutions. Even colleges that are reluctant to award credit may be willing to allow students to use their IB scores to place into more advanced classes that would otherwise be closed to them.

Q8: Can my work in the IB program help me pay for college?

A: Some schools offer scholarships for earning an IB Diploma.

A growing number of institutions are awarding scholarships for students who earn an IB Diploma. For information about specific institutions contact the IB Coordinator, Mrs. Silverna Scott at (503)844-1980 ext 3804 or Email Silverna Scott.

Q9: How can I get more information?

A: Consult the IBO web site: www.ibo.org/diploma program/university recognition or Mrs. Silverna Scott, IB Coordinator at
(503)844-1980 ext 3804 or Email Silverna Scott.