AP Capstone and Seminar

Parents Forum
1

MY D had the opportunity to take 7 AP tests, which of course has a high price tag. Anyone take the AP Capstone. Seminar? Did you find the value it? Also, generally speaking, to those of you in college, did your AP tests "pay off?

Thanks!

2

For the AP tests, check the AP credit and placement pages for the colleges of interest to see which ones give something valuable for high enough scores. Note that colleges may offer one, two, or all three of the following for a given AP test and score:

  • Credit units toward the number of credits needed to graduate.
  • Subject credit for specific requirements. For example, a high enough score on calculus AB may fulfill a requirement to take calculus 1.
  • Advanced placement into a higher level course. For example, a high enough score on calculus AB may allow the student to start college math in calculus 2.
3

@givingthemwings Every AP class maps to credits and every college is different. In our college search, we noticed that very few colleges give any credit for AP Capstone. AP Seminar was one of her most time-consuming classes, so to get 0 credit (and she got a 5 on the AP test) was disappointing. Factored into her decision not to take AP Research.

If you have any ideas of colleges in your D process, you can check their pages to see if it is listed.

(As a side note, she has taken 3 AP exams that she can earn 17 credits from. One AP exam that earns 0 (Seminar). She has the possibility of another 10 credits from 3 AP exams this year.)

4

Thanks! I appreciate your input. Yes, my D has decided against taking the research one which will not allow her to get the Capstone diploma. I guess she is okay with that. (and I am too). It’s pricey-140.00

5

AP Credits are useful:

  1. If you have enough, you can graduate a semester or more early
  2. More flexibility if you change majors
  3. More flexibility if you want to do research
  4. More flexibility if you want to study abroad

The AP Capstone Diploma is relatively new…it doesn’t have the impact on colleges that the IB Diploma has (yet)

6

One thing to keep in mind is that the classes you take in high school can be very valuable to you in college and the “real world” even if they don’t translate into college credit and/or even admission to colleges. For example, my 10th grade D is taking AP seminar currently and will take AP research next year, eventually earning the AP capstone certificate. I know for a fact that some of the skills she learned in seminar this year helped her draft and present a topic (DACA) to a senator’s aide on Capitol hill when she went to DC with her temple. Research, writing, group assignments, and presentation skills are always a plus to have as a student and as a professional.

7

True, the skills learned may be useful even if the AP score is not. But that suggests that a student may want to take the course but not bother with the AP test.

8

I’m in college and completed the AP Capstone diploma last year. To me, it was absolutely worth it, but I was also very fortunate in that my school paid for all our AP exams.

Most colleges don’t give direct AP credit for the Capstone classes because they don’t really translate into any college class. However, I would absolutely say that these two classes prepared me more for college than any other AP classes I took. Being able to easily and efficiently research and write a long, college level essay is an invaluable skill that even many incredibly intelligent students don’t go into college knowing how to do. This also includes skill such as writing IRB proposals, doing long presentations in front of a group of people and defending your research, working in long-term group settings, etc.

Another thought - I felt that the Capstone diploma made my college applications, particularly my course load, more interesting than just another list of a bucket of AP classes. Because it is a relatively new program, I used the “Additional Information” section on Common App to explain the program and the fact that I would complete the diploma by graduation. I also wrote about the highly involved yearlong research project I was doing in AP Research on a subject which related to my future major. If your daughter has a chance to take AP Research after Seminar, she can definitely do this.

9

thanks for your input! I totally agree that it is an excellent learning experience and I think she will have no regrets taking both classes. The question I had was if the test/ diploma had value since college apps are done, etc. I think my question was poorly worded.

That is GREAT that your school pays for exams, Incredible. That is great for the families of students taking the exams. I think it also demonstrates the vested interests high schools have in this Ap madness.

I appreciate your thoughts and input. I wish you continued success in all that you do!!!