One Ipoh Echo reader wrote a feedback to me recently. After reading the previous articles, she has a better idea of what the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme is. It encompasses academic excellence, enhancing skills, building character and developing perseverance – very holistic and truly an education for a future. The question is: what’s next? What is in the pipeline for my child after he completes his IB middle years?
This led me to close this series with some details on the IB Diploma programme and why I call it an unfair advantage.
Perhaps the best way to start this conversation comes from Marlyn McGrath Lewis, Assistant Dean of Admissions, Harvard University USA. “IB is well known to us as excellent preparation. Success in an IB programme correlates well with success at Harvard.”
In 2014 over 120,000 IB Diploma students across 140 nationalities will have completed a revolutionary 2-year academically rigorous programme. As a student preparing to apply to tertiary education, the IB Diploma is possibly the most valuable Pre-University qualification to hold.
Research by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) UK confirm that IB applicants are more than twice as likely to be enrolled at one of the top 20 universities in the UK than A-level students. They score more first and second-class honours qualifications, are more likely to pursue higher education and earn higher salaries when they start working.
In the US, research confirms that students are able to double their chances of getting into prestigious universities like Yale and Stanford if they are an IB Diploma student. A wealth of literature confirms that IB students are better prepared for university life because they are more skilled, are able to manage their own learning, possess higher thinking strategies and are better academically prepared than their non-IB counterparts.
In Australia, IB Diploma students enjoy a warm welcome at prestigious institutions like the University of Melbourne and Sydney. In Canada, research by the University of British Columbia (UBC) indicates that IB Diploma scores of 29 perform at the same level in the first year examinations as British Columbia Secondary School Diploma students with a score of 86%.
IB Diploma students are preferred across the globe because they are different. They know as much content as any other student but are able to process information better, use more skills, manage themselves and their emotions better, are more internationally-minded and care about making this world a better place.
Fairview’s IB Diploma Programme May 2014 results are outstanding with an average student score of 37 points and 3 students achieving a score of 42 points out of 45, a score received by the top 1% of the world. Fairview has realised the dreams of so many. Are you ready to realise your child’s dream?
Dr Vincent Chian is currently the IB Diploma Director of Fairview International School. A former medical doctor working in psychiatry he now spends his time championing emotional and effective development in education.
* Fairview International School currently has 4 IB World Schools across Malaysia; KL, Subang, JB and Penang. Fairview Ipoh will be an international school, with enrollment open for August 2014. For more information, call 05 313 6888 or email: enquiries_ipoh@fairview.edu.my.
Fairview Ipoh welcomes its first batch of students from Creche to Grade 5. The campus is now open for public viewing. Call us for an appointment!