College admissions and professors
Read what college admissions officers and professors had to say about their experiences with the IB Diploma Programme!
Watch a brief video, "The Value of an IB Education"
Debra Von Bargen, Assistant Dean of Admission, Stanford University.
"For admission purposes, we assume that students pursuing a full IB diploma are taking the toughest academic program available to them and that, as we say above, is what the Committee on Admission generally wants to see."
Admissions Office, University of Virginia
"One of the advantages of an IB curriculum is its structure and quality. It is a coordinated program, well established, well known and well respected. We know the quality of IB courses, and we think the IB curriculum is terrific."
Christoph Guttentag, Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Duke University
“A transcript that reveals a student’s enrollment in International Baccalaureate courses serves notice to the admissions officer that the applicant is someone who accepts rather than avoids educational challenges. Further, a successful IB student will enroll with some advantages over students who have taken less intensive programs...Unquestionably, a school that graduates each year a number of students with IB diplomas has demonstrated its commitment to high educational standards and that commitment will serve to influence admissions decisions at the University of Michigan.”
Cliff Sjogren, former Director of Admissions, University of Michigan
“Success in an IB program correlates well with success at Harvard. We are always pleased to see the credentials of the IB Diploma Program on the transcript.” GPA is not nearly as important a factor in university admission as the IB Diploma. If a student has to choose, choose the Diploma over protecting the GPA.”
Marilyn McGrath Lewis, Asst. Dean of Admissions, Harvard University
“My eyes light up when I see ‘International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme’ on a transcript. Students who apply to Michigan State University with IB credentials are assumed to be mature, curious, and creative. They have proven to be successful in a rigorous program that is both broad and deep in its content and intellectual challenge. On campus, IB graduates move with ease in a diverse and global university that demands intercultural skill and adaptability. The challenge of completing an IB diploma means that a student has engaged in the kind of rigorous work that is likely to help them become not just an outstanding college student and citizen of the world, but an exceptional one.”
Pamela Horne, Assistant to the Provost for Enrollment
and Director of Admissions, Michigan State University
“I don’t think there is anybody who does not respect the I.B.”
Panetha Ott, Admissions Officer, Brown University
“IB students who attend that university (Virginia Tech) as freshmen significantly outperformed all other freshmen, including students who had taken Advanced Placement courses.”
Dr. Eugene Carson, Associate Provost, Virginia Tech University
I have the pleasure of teaching Benie Bolohan (IB Diploma Class of 2014) this term in the intro physics class here at Washington and Lee University. I want to tell you that I haven't seen such well written and thoughtful HMWs and test solutions in a very long time. She is by far the best student in class. Benie told me that you are the person responsible for her outstanding physics background. Thank you for teaching her, and others, so well!
Irina Mazilu, Physics Professor, Washington and Lee University
Debra Von Bargen, Assistant Dean of Admission, Stanford University.
"For admission purposes, we assume that students pursuing a full IB diploma are taking the toughest academic program available to them and that, as we say above, is what the Committee on Admission generally wants to see."
Admissions Office, University of Virginia
"One of the advantages of an IB curriculum is its structure and quality. It is a coordinated program, well established, well known and well respected. We know the quality of IB courses, and we think the IB curriculum is terrific."
Christoph Guttentag, Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Duke University
“A transcript that reveals a student’s enrollment in International Baccalaureate courses serves notice to the admissions officer that the applicant is someone who accepts rather than avoids educational challenges. Further, a successful IB student will enroll with some advantages over students who have taken less intensive programs...Unquestionably, a school that graduates each year a number of students with IB diplomas has demonstrated its commitment to high educational standards and that commitment will serve to influence admissions decisions at the University of Michigan.”
Cliff Sjogren, former Director of Admissions, University of Michigan
“Success in an IB program correlates well with success at Harvard. We are always pleased to see the credentials of the IB Diploma Program on the transcript.” GPA is not nearly as important a factor in university admission as the IB Diploma. If a student has to choose, choose the Diploma over protecting the GPA.”
Marilyn McGrath Lewis, Asst. Dean of Admissions, Harvard University
“My eyes light up when I see ‘International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme’ on a transcript. Students who apply to Michigan State University with IB credentials are assumed to be mature, curious, and creative. They have proven to be successful in a rigorous program that is both broad and deep in its content and intellectual challenge. On campus, IB graduates move with ease in a diverse and global university that demands intercultural skill and adaptability. The challenge of completing an IB diploma means that a student has engaged in the kind of rigorous work that is likely to help them become not just an outstanding college student and citizen of the world, but an exceptional one.”
Pamela Horne, Assistant to the Provost for Enrollment
and Director of Admissions, Michigan State University
“I don’t think there is anybody who does not respect the I.B.”
Panetha Ott, Admissions Officer, Brown University
“IB students who attend that university (Virginia Tech) as freshmen significantly outperformed all other freshmen, including students who had taken Advanced Placement courses.”
Dr. Eugene Carson, Associate Provost, Virginia Tech University
I have the pleasure of teaching Benie Bolohan (IB Diploma Class of 2014) this term in the intro physics class here at Washington and Lee University. I want to tell you that I haven't seen such well written and thoughtful HMWs and test solutions in a very long time. She is by far the best student in class. Benie told me that you are the person responsible for her outstanding physics background. Thank you for teaching her, and others, so well!
Irina Mazilu, Physics Professor, Washington and Lee University