Hi there!
I would say that AP Capstone is worth it ONLY if you're very much interested in it and not only doing for the sake of whichever college you wish to be in. The program is definitely tough and demanding. Here are certain things you should think about before joining the program.
Pros:
1. Skill Development: The program is designed to help students develop important skills such as research, analysis, and communication.
2. College Credit: If a student earns a passing score on the AP Seminar exam, they may be able to earn college credit, which can save time and money in the long run.
3. College Preparation: The program can help students prepare for the academic rigor of college by providing them with a taste of what college-level coursework entails.
4. Exploring Topics of Interest: The program allows students to explore topics that interest them and pursue independent research on those topics.
Cons:
1. Time Commitment: The program requires a significant time commitment outside of regular class hours, including research, writing, and presenting.
2. Heavy Workload: The program can be challenging and requires a high level of commitment to complete successfully. Students who already have loads of extracurricular activities would definitely face problem in managing this course.
3. Stressful: The pressure to perform well on exams and presentations can be stressful for some students.
4. Limited Course Options: The program may limit a student's ability to take other courses they are interested in due to the time and workload requirements. This would also cause an effect on their choice of a program in the coming years i.e. 11th and 12th.
Ultimately, the decision to join the AP Seminar program in 10th grade will depend on a student's individual goals, interests, and academic abilities. It's important to weigh the pros and cons carefully and consult with teachers, counselors, and parents before making a decision.
Thank you!
FAQs
Overview: AP Seminar and AP Research
Students who pass both of these exams in addition to at least four other AP exams will have completed the AP Capstone program. The Capstone program is not an easy undertaking, but for dedicated students who plan to apply to competitive universities, it's well worthwhile.
Which is easier AP Seminar or AP Research? ›
Colleges typically view both AP Seminar and AP Research courses as equally rigorous, and both can demonstrate your willingness to take on challenging coursework.
Is AP Seminar the same as AP Capstone? ›
AP Capstone™ is a diploma program based on two yearlong AP courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. These courses are designed to complement other AP courses that the AP Capstone student may take.
Is AP Capstone seminar worth it? ›
The answer: absolutely! One of the best benefits of AP Capstone is gaining either the AP Seminar and Research Certificate 📜 (passing both classes) or AP Capstone Diploma 🎓 (passing both classes and 4 other AP exams). You can show this off to colleges and boost your college application!
Can I fail Capstone? ›
Yes, you can fail a capstone course.
How impressive is AP Capstone? ›
AP Capstone is a powerful indicator of college readiness on a student's transcript and helps students stand out to colleges in the application process. Research has found that students who take AP Capstone courses are more likely to persist in college and earn higher first-year college GPAs.
Do colleges like AP Capstone? ›
The AP Capstone Diploma is increasingly recognized in admissions by higher education institutions around the world. Many colleges and universities offer credit and/or placement for a qualifying score in AP Seminar, AP Research, or both.
How hard is it to pass AP Research? ›
AP Research's difficulty also depends on the workload from your other courses. While there isn't any inherent memorization or testing, the writing process and preparation for the presentation may be burdensome for many students who are also taking other AP courses.
Which is harder AP Seminar or AP Research? ›
Is AP Research harder than AP Seminar? - Quora. No, AP Research would probably be easier. This is largely due to the fact that you have an entire year to work on just one project. No more of that stressing to meet deadlines, only to have another project right after that.
How many people get AP Capstone? ›
The program has reached a milestone of over 100,000 students participating during the 2022-23 academic year, representing over 2,500 schools worldwide. Approximately 15,800 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma, and 9,600 students earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.
AP Capstone (properly the Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma Program) is a 2-year program developed by the College Board, which consists of two courses: the AP Seminar and AP Research.
What grade is AP Capstone? ›
Current 9th and 10th grade students may select AP Capstone: Seminar as an elective class. Since it is a two-year program, current 11th grade students will not have the opportunity to take both courses in the Capstone program and are therefore ineligible to register for the program.
Which AP is easiest? ›
Easiest AP exams by pass rate
| AP Subject | Pass Rate (Exam Score of 3+) | Median Score |
|---|
| Ap Physics C Mechanics | 73.4% | 3.41 |
| AP Psychology | 58.3% | 2.71 |
| AP Research | 82.7% | 3.3 |
| AP Seminar | 82.6% | 3.19 |
34 more rowsJan 13, 2023
Some students may find AP Seminar less difficult compared to other AP classes because the workload might be more manageable. However, others might find it challenging due to the emphasis on writing, collaboration, and public speaking. It mainly depends on your aptitudes and confidence in these areas.
Does Harvard care about AP Capstone? ›
If you want to take the class, take the class. But Harvard, and colleges at that level, will not care if you take the class or not. Again, this is in the context of Ivy League Admissions- what would you recommend dropping?
Is it hard to pass AP Research? ›
AP Research's difficulty also depends on the workload from your other courses. While there isn't any inherent memorization or testing, the writing process and preparation for the presentation may be burdensome for many students who are also taking other AP courses.
Do colleges like to see AP Capstone? ›
Find Colleges and Universities That Grant Credit for AP Seminar and AP Research. The AP Capstone Diploma is increasingly recognized in admissions by higher education institutions around the world. Many colleges and universities offer credit and/or placement for a qualifying score in AP Seminar, AP Research, or both.
Do colleges actually care about AP Capstone? ›
Similar to IB, since AP Capstone is only offered at a select few schools, colleges won't be specifically looking for AP Capstone or favoring it, since not all students have access to it. Still, if you take Capstone, aspects of the program—especially the long research paper—will likely look desirable to most colleges.
How easy is AP Capstone? ›
AP Seminar forms part of the Capstone Diploma Program in tandem with AP Research. Alumnae reviews rate AP Seminar as moderately difficult but are divided on the usefulness of the course and skills developed.
