By Karen Liu and Han Nguyen
Every school year the Grade 10s need to make an important decision regarding their Diploma Program (DP) course selection. We have interviewed Ms. Baptista to gain more insight, and hope these answers may benefit you as well.
General Information
What is the process like for students when they choose their DP subjects?
They start with a session with their assigned university counselor asking them to research universities, programs, and prerequisites. Then they will receive a presentation from me (Ms. Baptisa) about the program and classes that they can not take. Students will get the courses that are available and have to do their own research through the resources on My CIS. They should also speak to their subject teachers about specific courses.
How would you recommend students to go about choosing their subjects?
Choose based on subjects that you’re passionate about so that your program is fulfilling. However, it is also important to check the university prerequisites. Some students found that they are not taking courses required by their ideal program, so they are excluded from those options.
What is the deadline for decisions?
January: You will have individual meetings with your university advisors and someone from the administration team. At that time, whatever you tell us during that meeting will be your final choice.
Could you talk about TOK, CAS, EE?
Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
Reflect on the nature of knowledge and how we know what we claim to know.
TOK is a course that talks about why we think the way we do in the real world and across different subjects. It’s the best interdisciplinary course; exploring from the perspectives of scientists, artists, poets, etc. You unpack how different disciplines create knowledge and why they do. You get to write about it and present it. There will be an exhibition where you present 3 objects that you think best represent the concept that you are trying to explore.
Extended Essay (EE)
An independent and self-directed piece of research. The final result is a 4,000 word essay.
There’s a misconception that the extended essay is like the P2. Although it’s research based like the P2, it has to be based on one of the classes that you are taking. It’s recommended to write in a subject that you are taking at the Higher Level. It’s a 4,000 (Max.) word essay delving into a topic that you are interested in. The difficulty is that 4,000 seems intimidating, but actually students struggle to narrow down their focus to fit into the word limit. Students underestimate how little it is. It’s a good idea to touch base with Ms. Miller to decide on the best way to research.
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)
Complete projects related to those concepts.
CAS is similar to Service as Action in the sense of the service aspect. But students are also able to explore creativity such as learning a new language, learning to play a new instrument, or joining an art space club. They also have activity, where exercise counts. The focus of this is to produce holistic students.
Subject Information
What is the assessment process like in the DP?
Every course is different, some have internal assessments (30-70% depending on the course). They are between the student, teacher, and IB examiner. It is a project that constructs, guides, and evaluates the finished product. Here is a general overview:
Languages: Oral Work
Geography: Fieldwork
Sciences: Laboratory Work
Mathematics: Investigations
Arts: Performances and Portfolios
Will there still be regular summative assessments?
One of the most difficult things that Diploma students struggle with is the cumulative and project based nature of the program. On top of your regular course work (formative and summative assessments), there is also the DP course work which we submit to the International Baccalaureate (IB). The deadlines are made to best support you, but unfortunately many students still procrastinate, it’s natural. It’s also important to remember that what you learn on Day 1 is just as important on Day 300. The report card grades will go towards your predicted grades that you send to university.
What are the more common subject options from each group?
Group 1: English or Chinese Language & Literature
Group 2: There’s not really a particular course that is most popular but the bilingual diploma option is becoming more common.
Group 3: Business Management and Economics.
Many students think economics is their future career but don’t realise that it requires conceptual thinking and is more challenging than students think. Additionally, a lot of students want to become business people, but you don’t actually need business management to study business at university level. I think it wastes the other options that you could take.
Group 4: A lot of students take Math Analysis and Approaches but find it challenging. It’s a really good idea to ask your math teacher what course is best for you.
One route that is becoming more popular is taking 2 art options. But if you take two arts, you have to take Environmental Systems and Sustainability (ESS).
Are there requirements for students to take a specific course?
We do not really have prerequisites, we allow students to take their own courses. However, math and physics are two courses that come to mind where if you don’t have strong foundational math skills, you will struggle with. It is really important to speak to your Grade 10 teacher to see whether or not you have the ability to be successful in those courses. Students can still choose to go against the advice of their teacher, but it is not in their best interest. We often find when students do that, they don’t do as well as they would have liked to.
Advice for Decision-Making
What happens if a student has no clue what they want to study?
That’s okay. A suggestion is to choose a subject from each of the 6 groups. If you’re not artistically inclined and don’t have an art prerequisite, a lot of students find Business Management, Geography, and History keep their options open for the next steps. Students can also take two languages and get a bilingual diploma.
What would happen if I wanted to switch majors in the middle of Grade 10?
Unfortunately there’s not much you can do except look for university programs that encompass what you are studying and what you want to major in. The good thing about the DP program is that there’s a natural balance. For example, in the US, they don’t really care which specific courses you take but more so look at the development of your skills during the whole program. The future is not closed to you, it just requires a bit more creativity.
If I’m stuck between subject choices that I want and prerequisites, what should I do?
For example, a lot of students choose Math Analysis and Approaches because their university requires it, even though they’re not good at math. My question is why do you want to study in a program like that when you are not good at math? If you’re passionate about something but you want to go another way, are you really passionate about it? You might conflict with your parents and families but in the end you need to be true to yourself.
What if I’m bad at a subject but I’m really interested in it?
As long as you’re willing to put the work in, you can do anything. We can warn students but ultimately the choice is yours.
Timetables and Teachers
Is it possible for a student to drop out of a course or move down to Standard Level?
No. The timetable is built during your Grade 10 year, and once that is completed, it is almost impossible to change it in Grade 11. If you need to change, it has to be the first 8 days, but that is unlikely since it will rearrange your timetable table and change your other teachers.
What does the DP schedule look like?
The schedule looks a bit different every year. The timings are the same as the MYP schedule. Below are how many periods you’ll be in specific classes during the 8 day rotation:
Higher Level: 5
Standard Level: 4
Theory of Knowledge: 2
Study Periods: 2
Do you remain with the same teacher for both years in the DP program?
Typically yes, but they can change. This could occur if one of your subject teachers leave after the first year.
A Word of Advice
What is some advice that you would give people going into DP?
My first piece of advice: Self-management. The Diploma Program is not about the smartest person, or people who are going on to Harvard and Yale. Everyone can be successful but they need to manage their time. You are going to be well prepared if you work consistently.
My second piece of advice: Learning how to focus in class. In the MYP, you can get away without really paying attention in class, and still pull it together during the summatives. You can not do that in the DP. I’m a classroom teacher as well and I tell my students that everyday matters and everything matters. How you pay attention can actually impact your success rate.
People have the misconception that they can just slack off, work hard in Grade 12 and still get into a good university. That does not work, it’s a two year program for a reason. But what I also encourage is that students research where they want to go. Because a lot of the time students opt for prestigious universities and then find out they are not really happy there. Choose a university with requirements that are feasible for you and that you actually want to go. Do not choose your university based on your friends, parents or prestige.
Remember: It’s a marathon, not a race.