What is AP Capstone?

AP Capstone is made up of two different yearlong AP courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. These (AP Seminar and AP Research) are not typical AP classes. They don’t instruct on a specific subject and take one big exam at the end of the class. Instead, students carry out in-depth research. They learn to find credible sources, ask questions, interpret and analyze evidence they encounter, listen to different perspectives, develop an argument, and present their findings. AP Capstone students are involved in individual and group projects, giving them the valuable experience of working on a team, as well as learning to navigate research and make determinations on their own.

This incredible opportunity is provided by many public and private high schools. Students get college-level research experience and a great portfolio item for their college applications, setting them apart from the tens of thousands of other applicants applying to top tier colleges and universities.

That said, it also poses a great challenge to many students, which in turn can put their GPA at risk.

Along with our Full-Year SpearHead (FYSH) Program, MEK is also launching private mentoring for AP Research and AP Seminar students. Through this program, students will have a one-on-one research mentor who will provide direction and work with them to set reachable milestones. With the guidance of their mentor, students can achieve greater heights with their research project. Having support also builds confidence that will help them stand out in front of their AP Research or Seminar teacher at school.

AP Seminar, Explained

AP Seminar is a yearlong course, typically taken in grade 10 or 11, that is the first part of the AP Capstone program. There are no prerequisites for AP Seminar, but AP Seminar must be taken before enrolling in AP Research – the second course in the AP Capstone program.

In AP Seminar, students are encouraged to find a complex subject that really interests them and explore it from every angle. Using a variety of sources, they navigate the intricacies of their subject from different perspectives. Through this immersive study of their subject, they begin to incorporate the evidence and formulate a fact-based argument. Once their research is fully developed, students present their findings in class. AP Seminar exposes students to viewpoints that may be at odds with their own interpretations. This class fosters personal growth through teamwork, patience, diligence, and an abandon of one’s biases.

AP Research, Explained

AP Research is a yearlong course that builds on the skills students learned in AP Seminar. As the second class in the AP Capstone project, it’s typically taken in grade 11 or 12. Remember, students need to have taken AP Seminar prior to taking AP Research.

In AP Research, students dive even deeper into a complex topic, issue, or problem of their choosing. With their topic, they develop a key question and conduct thorough research. Through their findings, students endeavor to identify viable, substantive solutions that they can effectively communicate with evidence that supports their argument.

This intensive, yearlong research project culminates in a 4,000 – 5,000-word academic paper, a portfolio documenting all sources (akin to what is done in a thesis project), and a presentation given in front of an audience followed by an oral defense. There is no exam at the end of the course.

QUEST

Both AP Seminar and AP Research follow an instructional foundation, called QUEST.

QUEST stands for:

• Question and Explore
• Understand and Analyze
• Evaluate Multiple Perspectives
• Synthesize Ideas
• Team, Transform and Transmit

Graphic above is from the College Board website, on page 8 of this document.

For more details on QUEST, please navigate to the College Board website pages for AP Seminar and AP Research.

What is a Capstone Diploma?

When students complete both AP Seminar and AP Research (receiving a score of 3 or higher in each), they receive an AP Capstone Certificate. If they take 4 additional AP courses in addition to these AP Capstone courses (again, scoring 3 or higher in all), they earn the AP Capstone Diploma.

Why is Capstone so Appealing to Admissions Officers?

Research and other large-scale projects are very attractive to top tier schools. The unique experience and knowledge gained from AP Capstone can set students apart from other applicants. Many top universities (such as Berkeley, Cal Tech, Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, MIT and Princeton) are research-based institutions. Having AP Capstone experience in your back pocket, and on your college application, is an incredible value.

MEK’s SUMMER WORKSHOP

MEK is hosting workshops this summer to kick off the mentorship program and introduce students to the AP Capstone program. During this two-hour workshop, students will be provided with an overview of the AP Capstone program that they will start in school, as well as 2 practice prompts to give them a taste of what their AP Research or Seminar course will look like. Our research mentors will prepare and teach students the essential skills and tips to start the AP Capstone program on the right foot.

AP CAPSTONE WORKSHOP DATES

Dates: August 12th (Monday), August 28th (Wednesday), September 5th (Thursday)

Times: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Eligibility: Students enrolled in AP Capstone classes (AP Research or Seminar) during the 2024-2025 school year

Tuition: Free