Selective Universities Admissions Officers on the Value of the IB Diploma for Potential University Applicants

At Branksome Hall Asia, we strive to help parents and students understand the value that is inherent in acquiring the full IB diploma. Earning the IB Diploma demonstrates, to selective universities, that your student possesses the critical thinking ability necessary to prosper at their university. But these are the words of your very own Branksome Hall Asia university counselor. In order to provide a more robust understanding of how universities value specific outcomes of the Diploma I thought it might help if I compiled some quotes from current and former admissions officers at highly selective higher education institutions.

Let’s see how they view IB Diploma applicants:

“Our holistic approach to reviewing applications for admissions include academic rigor and grades, demonstrated leadership, and involvement within and outside of school. In general, we look for academic excellence balanced by interesting and well-developed personal qualities or passions. Rochester students are intelligent and independent, seeking academic advancement and challenge. Students enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program typically model such qualities and tend to thrive at our school. Our International Baccalaureate scholarship offered to students who meets the criteria reinforces the importance we place on the International Baccalaureate program.” - Pat Toporzycki, Sr. Associate Director, Office of Admissions, University of Rochester

“IB is special in that, students have an opportunity, especially if they pursue the full Diploma Programme (DP), to be involved with research and doing independent thinking. Whether it’s the extended essay or CAS, there is an opportunity to explore areas of academic interest and extracurricular interests. That is going to prepare them for the type of independent opportunities they have on a college campus to explore the variety of programming available at the university.” – Kevin Hudson, Assistant Director for College Opportunity, Princeton

“I liked that the program had high expectations for young people; I think that encourages students to excel. IB students carry a demanding course load and work hard; they must master the math and sciences, as well as language/social sciences subjects and complete community service. You can’t take shortcuts in the IB. I always loved that it was a credential of people on the move or with a global perspective and/or experience.” - Karen J’bari, Senior Admissions Officer at McGill University

And here is a link to a youtube video with Stanford University’s Debra Von Bargen discussing why selective universities like the IB Diploma

If you have any questions about the value of the IB Diploma at universities around the world, please feel free to contact the Branksome Hall Asia University Counselors.

The Branksome Hall Asia University Counselors