Outfit, football game

Studying, test

Friends,

Mental health.

Is this worth it?

Perhaps. IB and AP classes do not necessarily ‘advance’ you in life. 

IB classes are high school classes preparing students for college, whereas AP classes are college-level courses taught in high school classrooms. AP focuses more on memorization–facts, dates, terms, while IB opts for a well-rounded approach, testing students on the application of their knowledge. These courses are rigorous, demanding hours of homework and study. And for what–a medal? A cord? Maybe a higher chance of acceptance?

College Board was founded in 1900 in New York, yet Advanced Placement courses did not come until 1952. It began as a small pilot program, administering its first test to students in 1956. Shortly thereafter, it began to receive support by the Fund for the Advancement of Education, out of fear American students were being surpassed by Russian students, ignited by the Sputnik launch. The very idea and support for AP and IB courses came out of fear–a fear that is internalized by students today

More recently, the International Baccalaureate was founded in 1968, aimed at encouraging intercultural understanding between diverse students. In 1971, the first program reached American classrooms. Today, IB reaches nearly 2 million students, across 162 countries. With programs designed for three year olds, the IB has split into four sections: Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, Diploma Programme, and Career-related Programme. A 2009 global study on PYP and MYP student performance concluded that IB students out-performed their non-IB counterparts, in all four key areas assessed: mathematics, reading, narrative writing, and expository writing. In another study, taking place in China, found 71.6% of a sample 1,612 students attended one of the world’s top 500 universities. 

AP and IB courses can instill confidence in a student, yet when a student overloads themselves, they experience heightened stress levels combined with a lack of sleep and a sense of failure, according to Mrs. Bisset. Mrs. Bisset, one of the Wellness teachers, says that, “Challenging yourself is healthy, but not if it overwhelms your mental and emotional well-being.” She stresses the importance of balance, encouraging students to participate in other activities besides academics. She adds that recognizing the early warning signs of burnout are crucial, and can help students stay on track. Some of these signs include; constant tiredness, anxiety, dropping grades, or trouble sleeping. These factors can also contribute to physical symptoms, such as headaches. She says, when students feel pressured, “they often shut down and stop work altogether, while others overwork themselves and sacrifice sleep to keep up.” It is important to recognize one’s limits, and understand that getting ‘bad’ grades does not set in stone your success in life. 

Yes, an IB survey of 4,000 students concluded that IB students had an 18% higher acceptance rate to Ivy League Universities, and 22% higher for non-Ivy League schools. 

Yes, IB and AP courses show readiness for college classes, and are regarded higher than PSP courses. 

But the truth is, these courses are simply not enough. The percentage of students taking 9 exams is up 50%, 10 exams is up 67%, and 12 is up by over 100%. AP and IB programs have expanded exponentially in the past years, shaping AP and IB as the norm. Students often forget college admissions take a holistic view of the student, extracurriculars, grades, SAT, essay, and recommendations. A Pew Research study found that 61% of Americans believe that high school grades should be a major factor in the admissions process, translating to students’ primary focus on school grades. However, a recent study by Dartmouth concluded that SAT scores were approximately 2.4 times more predictive than GPAs, proving students’ priorities should lie elsewhere. 

So remember, the next time you spend hours on AP homework or stress over your GPA, remember; your mental health and personal growth matter just as much–if not more–than any exam score. 

Works Cited

“AP Overload: Balancing Academic Rigor & Student Well-Being.” Applerouth.com, 2024, www.applerouth.com/blog/ap-overload-balancing-academic-rigor-student-well-being?utm_. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

“Benefits of AP – AP Central | College Board.” Apcentral.collegeboard.org, 6 Oct. 2025, apcentral.collegeboard.org/about-ap/ap-a-glance/discover-benefits. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

Cascio, Elizabeth, et al. Report from Working Group on the Role of Standardized Test Scores in Undergraduate Admissions. 2024.

Gómez, Vianney. “U.S. Public Continues to View Grades, Test Scores as Top Factors in College Admissions.” Pew Research Center, 26 Apr. 2022, www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/04/26/u-s-public-continues-to-view-grades-test-scores-as-top-factors-in-college-admissions/. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

IB Student Acceptance Rates at the Top 25 US Universities. 6 Oct. 2025.

International Baccalaureate. “International Education.” International Baccalaureate®, 11 Oct. 2019, www.ibo.org/. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.