To take it as HL, or not? Please help!

[Doobster]

So, I'm gonna be a Junior in 8 days, and I'm really confused about my IB subjects. If it helps, my dream jobs are in Advertising, Marketing, and Languages. (hopefully international advertising, marketing or management) because languages are kind of my calling! (I speak English, Arabic, Italian, Spanish and French at a fluent level) (well, french, very close to fluent anyways)

My school moves differently, for us, Economics, French, and History (ONLY at SL) are one year courses where you take the exam the May of your Junior year..

My Subjects:

HL Psychology

HL English

HL Biology

SL Math

SL French

SL Econ

So, I was thinking, since I need HL English for my language, HL Psych for my future, and HL biology because it fascinates me, should I take French as an HL aswell? Making it 4 HL's rather than 3? I know it's alot of work, and I'm frankly not sure I can handle it, but it seems smart, since I'd only have 5 exams to worry about rather than the average 6... But if I kept it like it is now, I'd have 2 exams Junior year and 4 Senior year... What do you guys think? What would you guys do if you were me?

EDIT: my french class is French B SL/HL NOT french A; Since I live in France, French A is only for people who have the nationality.. (stupid rule, I know)

[Babydolleyes]

I really support the idea of taking 4 HL's in general, and I'm always incredibly impressed when I hear of people with 4 HL subjects. Like you I'm also taking Bio HL purely out of interest and I think it is highly unlikely that I will ever pursue anything to do with Biology in the future (although at this point I sometimes feel that way with all of my subjects) but I am so desperate to keep all of my options open and I felt like I'm doing that with my subject combination.

If I were you I would definitely do French language B HL. I would have chosen Danish language B HL if Economics HL had been unavailable. Language B subjects are never as time consuming as your other subjects unless you are learning the language in question for the first time in IB (then the situation seems to be the complete opposite).

I don't think your subject combination looks difficult/hard to manage at all if you have a natural talent for languages. Psychology HL is (IMO) almost completely essay based, so the better you are at English the easier it will be for you to formulate the essays in your head during exams and analytical skills are essential as well. I think your subject combo looks exciting, and like I said before I would definitely bump up your French. A lot of people advise against doing four HL's - but then again most people don't finish two subjects after their first year. I will admit that I have had a harder time in IB compared to most of my friends, but my grades are usually the highest in class. Also, I can't imagine not having 4 HL's, I feel like I would be closing so many doors by dropping any of my HL's. You can do anything if you set your mind to it. Ask your IBC if you can take 4 HL's and then drop French if you get too overwhelmed. If you can handle HL French then SL French is going to be a breeze. Good luck!

[Arrowhead]

Sounds doable in your circumstances. Go for the 4 HLs if you feel confident and as advised, drop it down to SL if you feel overwhelmed.

But just so you know, 5 IB exams in senior year is actually not quite a heavy load. Most people aren't allowed to give IB exams in their SL subjects after one year, they're two-year courses in their schools, so they generally give 6, sometimes 7, exams at the end of IB2 and they manage to get very high grades nonetheless. So don't be deterred or assuaged by that little detail. Sometimes having that extra year for a subject can actually work to your benefit rather than detriment.

Best of luck!

Arrowhead.

[ChocolateDrop]

Is it possible to take a language that you're seemingly not fluent in. Like one of the other languages you mentioned or take french A1 instead. With two A1's you can get a bilingual diploma which is rather prestigious. It may also look better, as you live and learn in France and admissions staff might make the assumption you are fluent in french, whilst language B is designed as more as a foreign language course with 2-3 years of experience rather than a course for native or near native speakers. With a bilingual diploma you would definitely be an ideal languages student.and separate you from other candidates in the finance world as multilingualism is a desired trait and a bilingual diploma will also reflect you.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IB_Group_2_subjects

http://www.ibicus.org.uk/uploaded_images/files/languages%20guidance%20.pdf

[angela p.]

You should go with the four HL's. Because Biology isn't necessary for your future (according to your career choices), if you feel overwhelmed, I would encourage you to drop Biology and stick with the three other HL's that will better benefit your future. I say that because I want to be a doctor, so it is required for me to take Chemistry and Biology HL, but I also take English A1 HL. I was going to go for four HL's (the fourth being Psychology), but I decided not to because I can always take that once I'm in university (for specialisation perhaps). The thing is you can always take different classes in college, so even if you end up only choosing three HL's, don't worry about it because you can always take the class in uni.

[Guest Positron]

That's a strange rule. But I got the impression that you think you'd be capable of doing French as a Group 1 language, so not taking French B HL would be a bit odd. I mean, if you know the language well enough so that you could do it as a Group 1 language, B HL shouldn't be a problem.

With two A1's you can get a bilingual diploma which is rather prestigious.

I'd like to point out that a Bilingual Diploma isn't really that prestigious, since many IB students who do not speak English as their first language receive a Blingual Diploma. And at least as far as I've understood, the majority of IB students come from countries where English is not an official language, so many, if not most, IB students will receive a Bilingual Diploma. This is because a Bilingual Diploma will also be awarded to those who take a Group 3 or 4 subject in language other than their Group 1 language, hence everyone who takes the IB in English, and studies a language other than English as a Group 1 language, will receive a Bilingual Diploma.

Edited September 1, 2012 by Positron

[ChocolateDrop]

That's a strange rule. But I got the impression that you think you'd be capable of doing French as a Group 1 language, so not taking French B HL would be a bit odd. I mean, if you know the language well enough so that you could do it as a Group 1 language, B HL shouldn't be a problem.

With two A1's you can get a bilingual diploma which is rather prestigious.

I'd like to point out that a Bilingual Diploma isn't really that prestigious, since many IB students who do not speak English as their first language receive a Blingual Diploma. And at least as far as I've understood, the majority of IB students come from countries where English is not an official language, so many, if not most, IB students will receive a Bilingual Diploma. This is because a Bilingual Diploma will also be awarded to those who take a Group 3 or 4 subject in language other than their Group 1 language, hence everyone who takes the IB in English, and studies a language other than English as a Group 1 language, will receive a Bilingual Diploma.

Notice I said 'rather prestigious' as opposed to using another adverb like extremely. Synonyms of rather include: quite - pretty - somewhat

[Guest Positron]

That's a strange rule. But I got the impression that you think you'd be capable of doing French as a Group 1 language, so not taking French B HL would be a bit odd. I mean, if you know the language well enough so that you could do it as a Group 1 language, B HL shouldn't be a problem.

With two A1's you can get a bilingual diploma which is rather prestigious.

I'd like to point out that a Bilingual Diploma isn't really that prestigious, since many IB students who do not speak English as their first language receive a Blingual Diploma. And at least as far as I've understood, the majority of IB students come from countries where English is not an official language, so many, if not most, IB students will receive a Bilingual Diploma. This is because a Bilingual Diploma will also be awarded to those who take a Group 3 or 4 subject in language other than their Group 1 language, hence everyone who takes the IB in English, and studies a language other than English as a Group 1 language, will receive a Bilingual Diploma.

Notice I said 'rather prestigious' as opposed to using another adverb like extremely. Synonyms of rather include: quite - pretty - somewhat

My English is far from perfect, but I certainly do understand the meaning of "rather". By definition prestigious is having prestige, prestige is high status or reputation. Putting "rather" or "moderately" in front of "high status/reputation" doesn't exactly mean the same as "slightly higher status", which is closer to the truth in my opinion. Nearly all IB students speak at least two languages fluently, so universities don't really value a bilingual diploma that high. This, of course, depends on the university, and the course, but generally speaking having a bilingual diploma doesn't give one a considerable advantage over the other applicants. There have been quite many discussions on this topic, and it seems this is the general consensus.

[NJ0330]

I suggest you take it as an SL at first, and as you get used to it and understand the work load and your capacity, you can move it to an HL subject. 4 HLs is quite a lot of work, and you do not want to bite off more than you can chew, especially since you are just beginning with your IB junior's programme.

Just start off with it as SL, and then later, when you think you can handle it, move it to HL!

[ChocolateDrop]

That's a strange rule. But I got the impression that you think you'd be capable of doing French as a Group 1 language, so not taking French B HL would be a bit odd. I mean, if you know the language well enough so that you could do it as a Group 1 language, B HL shouldn't be a problem.

With two A1's you can get a bilingual diploma which is rather prestigious.

I'd like to point out that a Bilingual Diploma isn't really that prestigious, since many IB students who do not speak English as their first language receive a Blingual Diploma. And at least as far as I've understood, the majority of IB students come from countries where English is not an official language, so many, if not most, IB students will receive a Bilingual Diploma. This is because a Bilingual Diploma will also be awarded to those who take a Group 3 or 4 subject in language other than their Group 1 language, hence everyone who takes the IB in English, and studies a language other than English as a Group 1 language, will receive a Bilingual Diploma.

Notice I said 'rather prestigious' as opposed to using another adverb like extremely. Synonyms of rather include: quite - pretty - somewhat

My English is far from perfect, but I certainly do understand the meaning of "rather". By definition prestigious is having prestige, prestige is high status or reputation. Putting "rather" or "moderately" in front of "high status/reputation" doesn't exactly mean the same as "slightly higher status", which is closer to the truth in my opinion. Nearly all IB students speak at least two languages fluently, so universities don't really value a bilingual diploma that high. This, of course, depends on the university, and the course, but generally speaking having a bilingual diploma doesn't give one a considerable advantage over the other applicants. There have been quite many discussions on this topic, and it seems this is the general consensus.

It's inadvisable define a word by using a form of a word. I'm pretty sure this constitutes as circular definition, as you're relying on prior knowlege of the definition of the word prestige to define prestigious. This makes your definition rather inadequate.and deficient as it includes the term to be defined in the definition itself. Yes many a time you will find terms defined in this manner, but take these fallicies of definition as a reminder of all that wrong with the world. (Oxford dictionary if in doubt).

I stand by what I said about the bilingual diploma being rather prestigious i.e quite respectable, esteemed. German uuniversities which are notorious for having subject requirements which taylor potential students subject choices, seem to only take students with a bilingual diploma.or a foreign language at minimum A2 SL, which would mean students would have to take another laguage A1 lmeaning they would qualify for a biligual diploma, would it not?

http://en.wikipedia....ploma_Programme

Edited September 21, 2012 by ChocolateDrop

[Guest HayashiEsme]

IB2 seems to always be ridiculously stressful for my seniors, and maybe leaving that French as a SL might be a better idea. My school really discourages 4HLs and only 2 people (with very good reasons) so it. It's a gamble between the impressive-factor and the game of numbers. If you think the 7 is within reach this year then I'd do it as an SL, but if you need more time, definitely HL then.