Lasso Online asked two of its reporters to share their observations about what they took away from Tuesday’s annual IB Forum. Nine Mason graduates from the Class of 2002 returned to their alma mater to discuss how their IB courses had affected them in their college experience. They also answered questions posed by the audience. Ms.Aziz and Ms. Genovese Soares are sophomores currently deciding the extent of their future involvement in the International Baccalaureate program..

By Rabita Aziz and Andrea Genovese Soares (January 10, 2003)
 

Sophomores and juniors fret over the workload of the International Baccalaureate program as they listen to IB coordinator Mr. Dickson reiterating that "It’s the process, not the end result." Nine former IB scholars gave valuable information to future and present IB students in the school auditorium on Tuesday. These former students reassured GM students about the possibility of handling the IB workload, CAS hours, and extended essay in a manner where students can still lead a memorable high school experience.  Among their personally biased thoughts about their experience with the IB program, they supplied useful tips about gaining the most from such courses and credits. For example, GM 2002 graduate James Dzierwa, who now attends the College of William and Mary, recommended that students take AP tests along with IB exams because some colleges favor these scores more than IB ones.

Mr. Lou Olom, the father  of the IB program  in Falls Church, applauds Mason graduates  who received IB diplomas or IB certificates  last Tuesday. (Photo by Michael Miller)

One question from the audience was: Do colleges prefer a "B" in an IB class or an "A" in a CP course? Mr. Dickson explained that statistically they are the same, since they are both worth 4.0 towards your GPA. Yet, particularly competitive colleges are very likely to prefer someone that challenged himself over someone who took a supposedly easier class. 

Another 2002 graduate, Meghan Ireland, now at Virginia Tech, informed the attentive students that many colleges accept IB credits. These credits shorten the normal four-year college time, potentially saving thousands of dollars. Yet, on the other hand, colleges that don’t accept these credits might make you test out or take the exact class again.

"I loved it. I got a lot out of it, but I had so many more questions to ask," said junior Beth Tyson about the IB Forum.

On the other side, "I would rather have received more factual information, instead of learning about the specific experiences the graduates had," said sophomore Rabita Aziz. 

In conclusion, these students have learned that it’s still possible to lead a normal teenage life while participating fully in the IB program.