Participate in the AP Capstone Diploma Program – AP Students (2024)

What It Is

AP Capstone is not a course. It’s a two-year program based on two AP courses—AP Seminar and AP Research.Other AP courses teach you, in depth, about a specific subject, like biology or U.S. history. AP Seminar and AP Research are different. They focus on helping you develop academic skills you can use inany discipline. These skills include:

  • Critical thinking: View issues from multiple perspectives and create arguments based on evidence.

  • Collaboration: Work alone, in a group, and with expert advisers to communicate your ideas.

  • Conducting research: Explore various research methods and complete research projects on topics of your own choosing.

  • Public speaking: Present and defend your work as a group and individually.

Participate in the AP Capstone Diploma Program – AP Students (2024)

FAQs

How many APS do you need for the AP Capstone diploma? ›

The AP Capstone Diploma is granted to students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on 4 additional AP Exams of their choosing. The AP Seminar and Research Certificate is granted to students who earn scores of 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and AP Research.

How many students earn AP Capstone diploma? ›

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.

Do colleges care about the AP Capstone diploma? ›

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.

Is the AP Capstone certificate worth it? ›

Participating in AP Capstone Can Help Students:

Stand out to colleges in the application process. Develop key academic skills they'll use in other classes, college, and beyond. Become self-confident, independent thinkers and problem solvers. Earn college credit: Many colleges offer credit for qualifying scores.

Is AP Capstone a hard class? ›

There are three AP Capstone difficulty levels: easy, medium, and hard. Easy AP Capstone tasks are those that don't require a lot of effort. Medium AP Capstone tasks may require more insight but still don't require a great deal of knowledge. Hard AP Capstone tasks may require some serious thinking and concentration.

Is AP Capstone better than IB? ›

Global Recognition: The IB Program enjoys broader global recognition compared to the AP® Capstone program, and is recognized by universities worldwide. While the AP® Capstone program is more familiar to US universities, the IB program is ideal for students aspiring to study outside the US.

How many high schools are approved for AP Capstone? ›

More than 2,000 high schools are approved to offer the AP Capstone Diploma program. Use this search to find participating schools near your city, district, state, or country. If your high school is interested in participating in the AP Capstone Diploma program, apply now .

Does AP Capstone get a cord? ›

Yes, AP Capstone Diploma Candidates will receive a stole (student cost) and AP Capstone Certificate Candidates will receive a cord. Those who are in the courses but did not meet CollegeBoard expectations on AP Exams will not receive the recognition items.

Is AP Capstone recognized nationally? ›

Students who complete the two-year program can earn one of two different AP Capstone awards, which are valued by colleges across the United States and around the world.

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? AP Capstone.

What level of recognition is AP Capstone diploma? ›

Note: the AP Capstone Diploma and AP Seminar and Research Certificate are reported to colleges and universities as AP Scholar Awards and appear in Scholar Roster reports.

Does AP Capstone count as an English class? ›

Some high schools are permitting students to use the AP Capstone program classes to fulfill English requirements (a student would therefore forgo, for example, AP Language and/or AP Literature). In other cases, a high school might require students to take an English class in addition to the AP Capstone classes.

Why is AP Capstone more expensive? ›

Having taken both exams, they cost more because AP Seminar and Research require evaluators to look at papers. AP Seminar consists of two papers one with a group and another with individual research. Each paper a little more or less 10 pages. To get someone evaluate this paper according to runbric takes more money.

Which AP is easiest? ›

Easiest AP exams by pass rate
AP SubjectPass Rate (Exam Score of 3+)Median Score
Ap Physics C Mechanics73.4%3.41
AP Psychology58.3%2.71
AP Research82.7%3.3
AP Seminar82.6%3.19
34 more rows
Jan 13, 2023

What is the AP Capstone diploma used for? ›

Participating in AP Capstone can help you:
  • Develop key skills you'll use in college and career.
  • Become a self-confident, independent thinker and problem solver.
  • Study topics you're passionate about, in depth.
  • Earn academic awards recognized by colleges worldwide.
  • Stand out in the college admission process.

How many AP classes do you need for an AP diploma? ›

AP Capstone Diploma

Students will need to take at least 6 AP Courses (or earn 6 total AP credits) and pass the exams. 2 of the 6 courses taken must be: AP Capstone Seminar.

How many years is AP Capstone? ›

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.

What does the AP Capstone diploma mean? ›

An AP Capstone award signifies to college admission officers that the applicant has the skills, experience, and passion for sustained success in higher education. Colleges recognize AP Capstone students can masterfully: Build evidence-based arguments. Apply research methods.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rob Wisoky

Last Updated:

Views: 5678

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (68 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rob Wisoky

Birthday: 1994-09-30

Address: 5789 Michel Vista, West Domenic, OR 80464-9452

Phone: +97313824072371

Job: Education Orchestrator

Hobby: Lockpicking, Crocheting, Baton twirling, Video gaming, Jogging, Whittling, Model building

Introduction: My name is Rob Wisoky, I am a smiling, helpful, encouraging, zealous, energetic, faithful, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.