The Aims of an Extended Essay

There are three separate aims that are listed in the IB Extended Essay guide. Essentially an Extended Essay provides the student with the opportunity to:

• engage in independent research with intellectual initiative and rigour.
   
• develop research, thinking, self-management and communication skills.
   
• reflect on what has been learned throughout the research and writing process.

  ---

These are the 'official' aims. However I believe an Extended Essay has more aims than this. In addition to experiencing the thrill and excitement of making intellectual discoveries, many ex-students have said that the whole process of the Extended Essay was one of the most useful types of preparations they had had for university. When they were required to do a research project at university they said that it was very noticeable that those with an IB background just quietly got on with it whereas many other students didn't seem to have a clue about where to start and how to organise themselves. I have also found that it can be extremely useful when students are in the process of applying to get into university. The school gives their predicted grades in their six subjects but their Extended Essay is an actual piece of completed work. Students can include it in their online application by attaching it as a file so that universities can see what they are capable of. If they are called to interview then it provides a genuine topic for conversation and gives students the opportunity to show enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity about their chosen subject. Finally, I have also found that it improves their own knowledge and understanding of Chemistry which can only increase their chances of gaining a higher grade for Chemistry when they take the examinations in May or November.