AP Seminar
10th Grade gets English Credit (B Requirement)
11th Grade gets Elective Credit (G Requirement)
New for 2024, 10th graders will get English credit, so it's the ONLY English class you need in 10th grade!
About the Class
HOME
AP Seminar is the first of a two-year program for 11th graders, built to promote the skills of self-directed inquiry, collaboration, research, communication, and presentation. These skills will give you the advantage in every single class you ever take, and culminate in the prestigious Capstone Diploma: the mark of academic excellence that sets students apart on their college apps! Last year, we had a 100% pass rate, and we are excited to offer you the opportunity to join our success!
AP Seminar is an elite program offered to students who have distinguished themselves as intellectually curious, serious about learning, and capable of working on large projects by themselves as well as with their friends. Not all schools offer this program, and SOCES had to apply to offer it to its students; 2020 was our first year, and out of almost 130 students to apply, only 60 were admitted.
​
Last year, every single SOCES student enrolled in AP Seminar took the AP test AND passed!
AP Seminar is the first course offered in the two-year AP Capstone Diploma Program; the second year is an AP Research class. Both classes were introduced by the College Board in fall 2014. Only 1800 American high schools participate in the program, and about 10,000 students took the Seminar test last year. The Capstone diploma is a signal to colleges that a student is capable of college-level research practices as well as worthy of intellectual investment. College applications such as CommonApp now specifically ask students whether they are a part of the Capstone program.
​
If one takes and passes AP Seminar, AP Research, and four other AP courses and exams, that student will earn the prestigious AP Capstone Diploma. If one takes and passes just AP Seminar and AP Research, he or she will earn an AP Research and Seminar Certificate. Both of these actions are impressive accomplishments that demonstrate to colleges one’s ability to successfully manage University-level academic challenges.
AP Seminar can also function as a stand-alone class. Students do not need to go on to AP Research in their second year. If they do not take AP Research, they would not be eligible for the Capstone Certificate or Capstone Diploma, but they would benefit from the motivation and skills embedded in Seminar. However, if students want to go on to AP Research, they must have taken AP Seminar.
​
There is a great deal of freedom in the class: from what YOU want to study, to who YOU want to work with. Sometimes that freedom can be overwhelming. Due to this, this class is not a good fit for everyone. Only students who demonstrate curiosity about their world, those able to work independently in a flexible environment, and those who enjoy working closely with peers should consider this course.
AP Capstone: A Student Perspective
Sample Team Presentation: "What can be done to improve women's psychological and physical health?"
AP Capstone: Explore YOUR Interests
Sample Individual Presentation: "Women in the Workplace: Shattering the Glass Ceiling"
If you have questions, you may contact the teacher here.
