Students entering Grade 10 who are interested in taking AP Seminar for English credit should speak to their school counselors for additional information. The information that follows has been provided for you review.
An ideal AP Seminar student is one who...
demonstrates mastery of content and skill in 9th grade English and social studies classes
is recommended by his or her teachers and school counselor as having the work-ethic, motivation, and skill to be successful in this program
is open to making a two-year commitment to the AP Capstone Program (AP Seminar and AP Research) and/or who plans to take a minimum of four additional AP courses in high school*
loves research and taking an intellectual approach to learning about the world
is comfortable with public speaking and presenting to the class
enjoys working in collaborative groups yet who can also work independently
enjoys reading scholarly research articles more than literary texts
is able to work independently without the in-class or extra-help assistance from the teacher
* While all students are welcome to take AP Seminar for 10th grade English credit, those students who plan to aim for the AP Capstone Certificate or AP Capstone Diploma are subject to additional criteria, which includes taking AP Research in Grade 11. Please reach out to your child's counselor or to the English chairperson for additional details.
Check out the video below for additional information about AP Capstone:
FAQ
What is AP Capstone? AP Capstone is built on the foundation of two AP courses – Seminar and Research – and is designed to complement and enhance the in-depth, discipline-specific study experienced in other AP courses.
What is AP Seminar? AP Seminar is the first of two courses in the AP Capstone program - AP Research is the second course. In AP Seminar, students investigate real-world issues from multiple perspectives, gathering and analyzing information from various sources in order to develop credible and valid evidence-based arguments.
When can I take AP Seminar? AP Seminar will replace English 2/2H and you will receive (upon completion) one English credit to be used to fulfill NYS graduation requirements.
When can I take AP Research? When you successfully complete the AP Seminar course in 10th grade, you will be able to take the AP Research course in 11th as an English elective.
Can I take a gap year between Seminar and Research? Based on our research on how other school districts have implemented AP Capstone, we do not recommend this. It has been found that students who do not move into AP Research right after Seminar struggle with making the transition because a year of practical application of the research skills learned in AP Seminar may be lost.
Why should I pursue AP Capstone? AP Capstone signifies outstanding academic achievement and attainment of college-level academic and research skills. If you earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research, as well as on four additional AP Exams of your choosing, you will receive the AP Capstone Diploma.
Do I have to take four AP courses in addition to AP Seminar and Research? It is required only if you want the AP Capstone Diploma. Students who take the two AP Capstone courses and earn a score of 3 or higher in both courses can earn the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.
How does the AP Seminar course differ from most other AP courses? Unlike other AP courses that culminate in a single assessment in May, the AP Seminar course is based on both individual and team assessments. Your final AP Score is comprised of the following:
Team Project and Presentation – 20%
Individual Research-Based Essay and Presentation – 35%
End-of-Course Exam – 45%
Is there any training that our teachers must attend to teach this course? The College Board requires teachers who teach either Seminar or Research to attend national training. The training will take place over the summer so teachers will be fully equipped with the tools they need to teach the course beginning in the fall of 2019. The training will not only help teachers prepare for the structure of the course and curriculum implementation, but also on scoring the internal assessments (presentations).
How will this program better prepare students for college? Students who go through the AP Capstone program will develop strong analytical and critical thinking skills, develop research skills, gain a better understanding of the connections between various academic disciplines, and strengthen their communication skills both verbally and through their writing. University professors from colleges across the country shared that this fills the gap in developing critical skills needed for success at the university. Representatives from over fifty universities across the country have been part of the development of this program and have publicly given statements of support.
What is the difference between Advanced Science Research and AP Research? The AP Research course follows the College Board requirements. In AP Research, students will design, plan, and conduct a year-long mentored, research-based investigation to address a real world topic selected by the student. Students will write a college-level research paper and and present and defend their research findings and methodology.
ASR follows the University at Albany guidelines for Science Research in high school. Students must commit to 240 or more hours per school year for their research work which includes class time (90 hours), assessment meetings (20 hours), out of class time (140 hours). Additionally, students must attend the school’s local symposium. Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors have additional specific requirements to meet. Students work closely with a mentor in the real world application of science.
Can I use the same research topic or project for Research that I use in ASR? Students in ASR may take AP Research; however, the culminating project in each course must be different because the AP Research paper and presentation are summative assessments.
Which colleges offer credit for AP Seminar and AP Research? What grade do I need to earn in order to secure college credit? As with all Advanced Placement courses, individual colleges have the option to decide if and how credits awarded from the College Board will be applied. While the College Board provides a list of institutions who endorse AP Capstone, it’s always wise to consult colleges directly to determine whether or not AP Capstone credits will be accepted to replace undergraduate credit requirements at that school.