The International Baccalaureate Program is a very intensive pre-college program in which when students get involved, they get college credit. Unlike most other learning initiatives, this program deeply emphasizes the importance of out-of-the-box thinking skills and embraces cultural variety.  The diploma received after completing this program opens the door to several top universities across the world for students.

This worldwide, nonprofit educational program aims to provide all students with the opportunity to receive an education apt for the globalizing world. While the IB offers four education programs, here we are talking about the IBDP (International Baccalaureate Diploma Program), which is aimed at high school students.

Any high school student aged between 16 and 19 years is eligible to apply for this diploma program. While the International Baccalaureate does not appear with any other limitations, individual schools may have Grade Point Average (GPA) requirements. They may also have limited seats in the programs, which means there can be competition in the application process. Students should consult with their counselors to learn the specific requirements of the IB program.

The process of becoming an IB student is quite straightforward. Interested students generally need to submit an application within a particular deadline, which they can obtain through school counselors or the website of their IB school. Applications may need to have grade reports, teacher recommendation letters, writing samples, essays, vaccination reports, etc. It may also be required for the students to reside within a specified distance from their IB school.

While the Diploma Program and the Career-related Program do not technically start before the junior year of a student, International Baccalaureate students begin taking prep courses immediately after entering high school. This is why the application process typically starts in the 8th grade, almost a year prior to a student’s freshman year.

While there is no cost involved in becoming an IB student, students need to pay fees for the IB assessment tests. Students can learn more about subject fees and registration fees by visiting the IB website.

The IB program being an international one, colleges across the globe recognize IB students and the rigor and benefits of the program. U.S. students who are planning to attend college abroad may experience an easier time getting admitted into international colleges by obtaining an IB diploma.

Finally, college courses are typically time-consuming and costly, so a student can be heavily benefitted by leveraging the opportunity to earn credit during high school.