Advice on the IB at NLCS

[Itsnotoveryet]

I would be extremely grateful to hear from anyone who has sound advice on the IB qualification at NLCS. Someone who has a DD that may have completed or is currently doing the IB at this particular school. My daughter wants to study medicine. I want to consider the IB but don't have enough information.
This would really help us in our journey on making a decision between A-level or IB.

Thank you in advance

[shootmenow]

My DD did IB at NLCS.
Firstly, ignore the people who tell you that it puts students at a disadvantage for STEM subjects (incl. medicine) at uni. It doesn't. DD's year had the highest take up yet for IB at NLCS- about 30%- and many went on to do medicine, engineering, science etc.
What I would say is that it's a bit of a macho thing. Girls who chose it want a challenge and aren't daunted by the extra work.In DD's year, I would say it was the super bright girls who made that choice (although, nobody at the school is less than bright, this was the sub-cohort who work hard and work smart). It's also popular with the all-rounders who need more time to decide what to do at degree level or who plan to go to American universities. Some of this will dynamic will change now that PreU subjects are proliferating and extra requirements for enrichment are being introduced. Either path leaves the girls time to do extracurriculars .
Some of the girls joke that if you chose IB you will have to chose 2 out of 3 for work, sleep and socialise. I think this is just a bit more braggadocio IMO. DD did all three and certainly had days when she opted for binge watching TV over work. But that's the 'working smart' aspect. After 5 years in the school, most girls know how to prioritise work and are great time-managers and organisers.
All of the above will set your DD up nicely for medicine.

[Guest55]

I disagree with the above poster. A levels are the way to go for most STEM degrees. The notion of 'compulsory' volunteering associated with the IB is something I also object to.

Look at the medicine section of The Student Room it is excellent:

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/medicine" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[kenyancowgirl]

Firstly I would say that it's great that your DD wants to do medicine but I'm not sure why you want to consider IB? It shgould be her considering it really. I would advise that she has a look at the entry requirements for a number of medical schools - and ask the school for the actual destination details of those girls who did IB and went on to study medicine - would be useful to see what grades they got and were offered for uni. Whilst 30% of a year taking IB is probably an increase on previous years, the key thing is how many actually got medicine offers (as compared with those who got offers from A levels) and how many made those offers.

I was at a conference recently - purely about entry to medicine - where representatives from around 8 medical schools were present, including Admissions Tutors, Junior Doctors, 1st and 2nd year students. As a Careers Adviser, and a mum of someone who wants to study medicine, A levels are the route here....

[shootmenow]

I despair! Honestly folks, go answer posts on stuff you know about!
Itsnotoveryet, have a chat with Ms. Picton and Mrs. Hedges. They will put your mind at rest about IB's suitability for medicine. From my DD's year and her closest friends (I honestly can't remember what everyone went to study), her sciencey mates who got 'perfect diplomas' have gone to Stanford (turned down Cambridge engineering), Oxford Engineering and Oxford Biochem. There are several 43s and 44s doing medicine everywhere from Cambridge to Nottingham to London.
Seriously, just ask the school and don't listen to people who have precisely ZERO experience of the IB.

I'm not prejudiced against PreU (DD2 will be going down that path). If your DD is not confident in Humanities, Languages and shrinks in horror at the idea of TOK, don't do IB. DD2 wants to do a mix of arts and sciences but hates MFL and maths so it's an easy choice for her.

[Guest55]

Both KCG and I are experts - hence our comments. I have been part of the UCAS team for many years in a high achieving school ...

[shootmenow]

....which is in the state system and doesn't offer IB.
I'm answering the OP from the position of having seen my DD through it at the same school. Not from rumour, conjecture or prejudice .
The year above my DD sent 16 off to do Medicine. How many did your school have?

[Guest55]

Erm - my DS was at a state school that offers BOTH A levels and IB - any school can offer this qualification.

[kenyancowgirl]

Shootmenow - I don't know your particular school. I do know about the IB, I do know about A levels, I also know about several other non education related things! I gave a balanced answer, which included looking at the specific destinations of girls who had done it at your school. But, based on research by my son, me, our school careers adviser, discussions with university staff/students and the teachers at our school, this house has chosen to go down the A level route.

Whilst you are absolutely entitled to your differing opinion, your despairing response, including considering that I have zero experience is false, misleading and implies that the role of careers adviser is based on pure falsehood. I do not have to have done every job to know about them, or studied every different route to have information about them. My opinion is based on my research etc and it gives an alternative view for the OP. I have not said IB will not lead to medicine, just it is not the right route for us.

[dplay]

[quote="Guest55"]I disagree with the above poster. A levels are the way to go for most STEM degrees. The notion of 'compulsory' volunteering associated with the IB is something I also object to.

+1

I recently spoke to someone whose DD did IB and currently studying Medicine in Cambridge, but DD regretted doing IB and not A Level.