Choosing Your IB Pathway
PREBACC to the IB Diploma
IB Diploma Reviewed• Students select one course from six groups and
must also complete core components of CAS, Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay
IB Diploma Reviewed
• Students take a minimum of 3 courses at the HIGHER LEVEL (HL) and 3 courses at the STANDARD LEVEL (SL)
• HL = 3 semesters• SL = 2 semesters• Students should select courses at the
HL that match their University program interests
IB Diploma ReviewedEnglish
A1 French BSpanish Ab InitioClassical Language
EconomicsITGSGeographyHistoryPsychology
BiologyChemistryPhysics
Math HLMath SLMath Studies
Visual ArtsMusicDrama
Group 6 ReplacementEnglish
A1 French BSpanish Ab InitioClassical Language
EconomicsITGSGeographyHistoryPsychology
BiologyChemistryPhysics
Math HLMath SLMath Studies
Chemistry Or Psychology Or Spanish
Core Components• CAS – Creativity, Action and Service
– Guideline of 150 hours split between the three components
– CAS supervisor completes workshop in June of grade 10
– ManageBAC software used to support students and their activities
• TOK – Blended e-learning model starts in grade 11– Essay and presentation is due in grade 12 year
• Extended Essay– Workshops start with your EE supervisor in May
of your grade 11 year
IB Diploma Reviewed• How can I get my IB Diploma in
Grade 12?– 7 point marking scale– Pass each course (no marks of 1)– Receive a minimum of 24 Diploma Points– Complete the TOK and Extended Essay– Complete CAS (approx. 150 hours)
Group 1 – Language 6
Group 2 - Second Language B 5
Group 3 - Individuals and Societies 7
Group 4 - Experimental Sciences 6
Group 5 - Mathematics 6
Group 6 - The Arts 5
Bonus TOK and EE (maximum 3) 3
IB Diploma Score 38
How are Bonus Points Calculated?
• A maximum of 3 Bonus Diploma points are awarded based on the Extended Essay and TOK
What is the Certificate?• Starting in September 2012, the IB Certificate
Programme includes a minimum of FOUR IB Courses and students must participate in the Theory of Knowledge.– Students will receive a Certificate for each IB Course
completed– HL courses still qualify for transfer credit– Students however do not participate in CAS or the
Extended Essay– Some Universities do not recognize the Certificate for
transfer credit (ie. McMaster)– TOK has a five level grade from A to E
Group 1 – Language 6
Group 2 - Second Language B N/A
Group 3 - Individuals and Societies 7
Group 4 - Experimental Sciences 6
Group 5 - Mathematics 6
Group 6 - The Arts N/A
Theory of Knowledge B
IB Diploma Score N/A
How do IB Courses appear on the OSSD?
IB Course HL=3 Sem. SL=2 Sem. OSSD equivalent
English HL /SL ENG3U, ENG4U, ETS 4U
Math HL/SL MDM 4U, MHF 4U, MCV 4U
Chemistry HL/SL SCH 3U, SCH 4U, SNC4M
Biology HL/SL SBI 3U, SBI 4U, PSE4U
Art HL/SL AVI 3M, AVI 4M, AWD4M
French B SL FSF3U, FSF4U, ORFIF 3U, FIF 4U
Geography HL/SL CGF 3M, CGW 4U, CGU4U
History HL/SL CHW 3M, CHY 4U, CHI4U
TOK HZT 4U
How are IB Grades Converted?• IB Courses contain mark bands that indicate
levels of achievement from 7 to 1
How are IB Grades Converted?• Teachers use these mark bands as a guide to
convert IB to Ontario grade reporting using a conversion scale
University Admissions with my IB Diploma
• Students apply in January of their Grade 12 year (Ontario) and as early as November to some International Schools
• Students benefit by having both sets of credentials to be accepted into their programsOntario
Grades
IB Grades
OUAC (Ontario University Application Centre) and Out-of-Province Universities
Criteria for University Admission• OSSD- Students require 6 Grade 12
University or University/College courses– Programs will insist on certain
prerequisite courses as part of the 6 (ie. Biology 12 for Life Science)
– Minimum average will vary each year • IB – Students require the prerequisite IB
course and a minimum overall score (ie. Health Science @ Mac IB English, Math, Biology, Chemistry and a minimum of 36 DP points)
Canadian University AdmissionsUniversity Program IB Grades and
PrerequisiteOntario Grades and Prerequisite
Queen’s University
Commerce Full IB Diploma with a minimum of 32 pointsEnglish HL/SLMath SL or HL
ENG4U, MCV4U and 1 other Grade 12 U Math , any other 3 Grade 12 U87%+ average
Toronto Arts and Science Full IB Diploma with a minimum score of 28English HL/SLMath HL/SL
ENG4U, MCV4U and any 4 Grade 12 UMid 80’s +
McGill Life Science Full IB Diploma with score between 36-38ENG HL/SLMath HL/SLBio, Chem or PhysHL/SL
4U English 4U Calculus and Vectors;two of 4U Biology, Chemistry or Physics 91%+average
Applying with your IB Diploma Gets You...• The potential for Advanced Standing and a
global perspective in learning.• TWO DIPLOMAS! Use credentials and
admission criteria from each Diploma (whichever qualifies for entry)
• Advanced preparation for University and building the University transcript for Graduate School
• Use your CAS activities as the basis of your scholarship and supplemental applications
• Extended Essay development – writing a University style paper before getting there!
Applying to US Universities• Vast variety of College/University
choices in the US– Types:
• Public/Private Michigan/Duke• Women Only Wellesley• Religious affiliation BYU, Georgetown• Science/Engineering Cal Tech• Professional Julliard
(performance)
Applying to US Universities• Cost
– Up to $60000 US– Universities can be
• Needs Blind –decisions made without knowledge of financial need
• Needs Aware- decisions made with knowledge of financial need
• Financial Aid– International Students Limited– Athletes Div 1/2 only– Ivy League Demonstrated NeedThe term ‘scholarship’ at Ivy League Schools (Yale, Brown,
Harvard, Princeton.....) DOES NOT EXIST
Applying to US Universities
• Standardized Tests SAT/ACT• SAT= SAT Reasoning plus SAT Subject Tests (usually
your choice of 2)• SAT Reasoning Test (3 ¾ Hours)
– Critical Reading 800– Math 800– Writing 800– Total 2400
• SAT Subject Tests (1 hour each)– Ie. Math 1, Math 2, English,
Applying to US Universities• SAT Reasoning Score Guidelines
• Recommended to take the SAT up to 3 times
• Westdale offers PSAT (Pre SAT ) in October each year for Grade 10 and 11
University Score
Highly Selective (ie. Ivy League)
+2150
Selective +1850
Accessible +1500
The Common Application• Used at many of the Ivy League and
High Demand US Universities• Application includes:
– Personal Details– Personal Essay– Resume– Extra-curricular personal statement– Teacher References– SAT results
Applying to US Universities• Early Decision Round 1 Due Nov. 1st Grade 12
Binding Round 2 Jan 1st Grade 12 Binding
• Early Action Nov 1st Grade 12 Non-Binding
• Regular Decision Jan 1st Grade 12 Multiple
• Resources– www.collegeboard.com– www.commonapp.org– www.prepskills.com– www.princetonreview.com
Applying to Schools in the UK
– Many schools use the UCAS system for applying
– Deadlines may be as early as October 15th (Cambridge and Oxford)
– Some high demand universities may require specific testing such as the BMAT (Biomedical Apptitude Test), or TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment )
www.ucas.com
Grade 10 Course Selection• Ontario Compulsory Courses
– English, Math, Science, History, Careers/Civics
– PREBACC an important prep for IB years in Grade 11 and 12
– Summer School or Online• Electives – 3
– Grade 11 Math (a must for students considering programs that require advanced functions and calculus)
– French Language/G2/3rd Science
Math Pathway in IBGrade 11 PreBacc Math Grade 10
Academic or PreBacc
Math HL or SL Math Studies SL(MHF4U/MCV4U)
(MCF3M/MDM4U)
Grade 11 Course Selections• Mandatory Math and English are
covered within the Diploma Program (as well as the G3 requirement of the 2nd language)
• Students are selecting courses that match their University pathway interests/goals and that also satisfy the IB Diploma requirements
French Immersion and IB
• Students must select 8 FI courses before entering IB in Grade 11.
• We currently recommend that all FI students take HL French B
• If students choose SL, they will be required to complete further French Language study Independently to receive their FI Certificate
How to Research University Pathways
Ontario and Canadawww.electronicinfo.caOntario University Fair www.ouf.caIB University Fair – April each year for Grade 11 IB students
InternationalInternational University Fair – www.studyandgoabroad.comCollegeBoard – www.collegeboard.orgCambridge App Service – www.ucas.com
Sciences/Life Sciences/Health Science
• Grade 11 Mathematics needed before entry into IB
• PreBacc Science in Grade 10 recommended
• Students MAY be asked to complete a lab based course in ALL THREE science areas at University
• General Requirements – Math SL/HL, English SL/HL, 2 of the 3 Sciences HL/SL
• Grade 11 third science in Grade 10 to replace an optional credit. (ie. Some students take grade 11 Physics as an elective in grade 10. I recommend a strong Math and Science mark >85% in grade 10 PreBacc)
Business/Commerce
• ICS201, BBI201 recommended• Grade 11 University Math needed before
entering IB• General IB requirements
– Math HL/SL– English HL/SLNote: Schulich School of Business York
University requires HL Math – enriched a must for HL Math
Engineering/Architecture
• Grade 11 University Math PreBacc highly recommended in Grade 10
• Grade 11 Biology recommended in Grade 10• TDJ2O1, ICS2O1 recommended in Grade 10• General Requirements
– English HL/SL– Math HL/SL– Chemistry HL/SL– Physics HL/SLNote: Waterloo University has heavy emphasis on HL
Mathematics- enriched Mathematics a mustArchitecture programs may require a Portfolio and
emphasis on Visual Arts
Arts and Science • Universities sometimes classify these
differently and there are a variety of Degrees offered
• Can be for students who have a strong academic interest across disciplines and are unsure as to their future Career aspirations
• Grade 11 PreBacc Math strongly recommended as well as PreBacc Science and English
• General Requirements– Ie. McMaster
• IB English, Math HL/SL• Interdisciplinary course selection in University
Liberal Arts/Social Sciences/Humanities
• Enriched English recommended in grade 10• Grade 11 Mathematics not required for this
pathway• Visual Arts students/Music students MUST take
grade 10 courses in that discipline• Visual Arts students may reach ahead to Grade
11 Photography• General Requirements
– English HL/SL– Art– Portfolio or performance for entry
Course Selections for Next Year
Course Selections for Next Year
Due February 29th
Course Selections for Next Year
IB Fact or Fiction• Is it only for students applying to
International Schools?• Will my marks go down because I am in
IB?• IB students get preferential treatment in
their University application.• I will have no life if I do IB, all I will do is
study, study, study!• IB students have an advantage with
Scholarship applications.• IB is only for Math and Science students.
Hand-outs
• IB Course Offerings (green)• Math Pathway in IB (blue)• IB Course Descriptions (white)• My IB Options Worksheet (pink)• Powerpoint Slides (yellow)