AP Capstone and College Admissions

Hi everyone, my school offers the AP Capstone program, and I'm considering joining. Do colleges generally care about the AP Capstone program, or do they just focus on individual AP scores?

Hi! The AP Capstone program is an interesting addition to your curriculum, and it can show colleges your dedication to academic rigor and research-based work. However, colleges tend to focus more on the individual AP courses you take and the grades you get in them rather than the specific designation of the AP Capstone program. This is because the emphasis is on your overall course rigor and performance in challenging classes.

That being said, the AP Capstone program can be a worthwhile experience if you're interested in developing research and analytical skills that will be useful in college. Completing the program, which includes taking AP Seminar and AP Research along with four additional AP courses, can showcase your ability to tackle complex, interdisciplinary projects and foster critical thinking.

To sum up, colleges might not hold the AP Capstone designation itself in high regard, but the individual courses and skills you gain from the program can still contribute positively to your application. As long as you perform well in the courses and maintain a strong overall profile with a mix of challenging classes and extracurricular activities, the program can provide a unique selling point demonstrating your commitment to academic excellence. Good luck!