The AP program is different from the
International Baccalaureate (IB)
While both AP and IB programs offer challenging courses to high school students for college credit, they have some substantial differences.
The AP program was specifically developed to help high school students prepare for college. The IB program was developed so that students could have an internationally recognized high school diploma. AP courses are typically less expensive than IB courses. As well, many more students worldwide take AP courses every year than those provided by the IB.
Additionally, most colleges offer AP credit for some courses but far fewer offer credit for the IB courses worldwide. The AP program substantially increases the likelihood that your student can get early college credit saving valuable time and money.
The reason more colleges accept AP classes for college credit is simple. AP classes and exams test specific knowledge in subjects that are directly comparable to what a student will study at a college campus. The IB program prepares a student for college but is more generalized in study and is much more difficult to directly compare to college level courses.
What do colleges think of IB and AP?
As it turns out, colleges don't automatically consider AP or IB harder or more impressive on a transcript. Since IB is a rarer program, they can't penalize students for not taking it. Plus, there are huge differences in how both AP and IB courses are taught and graded at high schools across the country.
Because of the differences in IB/AP course grading, colleges—especially the most selective ones—just want to see that you have taken the most challenging course load available at your school. So instead of worrying about AP versus IB, you should worry about taking the most rigorous classes your high school offers.
For example, Princeton says on its admissions website, "Whenever you can, challenge yourself with the most rigorous courses possible, such as honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and dual-enrollment courses. We will evaluate the International Baccalaureate (IB), A-levels, or another diploma in the context of the program's curriculum" (bold emphasis mine).
