AP Seminar vs. AP Research: Which one is more useful for college?

Hey guys, I'm trying to plan out my junior year schedule and I'm torn between AP Seminar and AP Research. Do colleges see one as more rigorous than the other, or do they value them both equally? Also, how different are the skills you learn and would one be better than the other depending on what I want to major in?

It's a common question to weigh the benefits of AP Seminar versus AP Research. Colleges typically view both AP Seminar and AP Research courses as equally rigorous, and both can demonstrate your willingness to take on challenging coursework. So, the decision is more about which one you feel will set you up better for academic success down the road, given your goals and priorities.

In terms of skill development, AP Seminar tends to focus on team projects, individual research, and developing critical thinking, analysis, and argumentation skills through a variety of media and written works. On the other hand, AP Research allows you to design, execute, and present a year-long research project on a topic of your choice.

Your decision definitely might be influenced by your intended major. If you're leaning towards a major that requires a lot of independent research and methodology, whether in the sciences (like biology) or humanities (like history), AP Research might be particularly beneficial. Conversely, if your potential major involves collaborative analysis and communication, like in business or communications, the skills from AP Seminar could be advantageous.

Consider where your interests lie and how these two courses align with them. You might also discuss your goals for college with the teacher of each one, to hear their expert opinion on how well their class aligns with those goals.

Best of luck with your decision!