AP Courses and the AP Capstone Diploma Program
AP Courses: “University-Level Courses”
Özel Ege High School joined the Advanced Placement (AP) Program in the 2013–2014 academic year after becoming the third member in Türkiye and the first member in İzmir of the College Board—the US higher education institution that organizes entry examinations for American universities.
The AP Program is an academic framework consisting of university-level courses and exams designed for high school students pursuing academic excellence. Through these courses, high school students develop college-level knowledge and skills while still in secondary school.
Furthermore, students can use their AP exam results to earn college credit or advanced placement at domestic universities in Türkiye, as well as at numerous higher education institutions across the US, Canada, and Europe. Outside the United States, AP exam results are recognized in the admissions processes of nearly 60 universities worldwide. Students can register for exams in any of the 38 subject areas offered by the College Board based on their intended major.
As of the 2021–2022 academic year, Özel Ege High School offers 23 AP courses at the undergraduate level to our high school students. Because these courses are officially approved by the Ministry of National Education (MEB) Board of Education and Discipline, they are integrated directly into Özel Ege High School's curriculum and appear on our students' report cards and official transcripts. Additionally, since Özel Ege High School serves as an official AP and SAT Exam Center, our students have the convenience of taking these examinations on our own campus.
AP exams are evaluated on a 5-point scale, where a score of 3 or higher is considered passing:
• 3: Qualified
• 4: Well qualified
• 5: Extremely well qualified
Earning a score of 5 provides students with a significant advantage during university admission processes. Since becoming a College Board member in 2013, nearly all of our students participating in AP examinations have achieved scores of 3 or higher across various subject areas.
AP Capstone Diploma Program
In February 2021, our school integrated the prestigious AP Capstone™ Diploma Program into its academic curriculum, enabling Özel Ege High School to offer its students a dual diploma option.
Özel Ege High School is one of only three schools in Türkiye—and among 2,000 worldwide—offering the AP Capstone™ Diploma Program. Combined with our status as an official AP Exam Center, our students benefit from a seamless testing environment. We have expanded our course offerings to 23 AP subjects aligned with student needs and interests. All 23 courses are approved by the Ministry of National Education and appear on student report cards and transcripts.
The AP Capstone™ Diploma Program is an innovative program that fosters university-level research, collaboration, and communication skills. To earn the diploma, students must complete two foundational, year-long courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. Additionally, students must earn scores of 3 or higher on four other AP exams of their choice throughout high school.
By earning the dual diploma awarded at the end of this program, our graduates stand out in foreign university applications and significantly enhance their prospects for merit-based scholarships.
AP Seminar
Typically taken in 10th or 11th grade, AP Seminar guides students to analyze complex issues from multiple perspectives, evaluate the credibility of information sources, and construct evidence-based arguments. Built around project-based learning, a student's final AP Seminar score is derived from a series of assessments completed throughout the academic year, including research reports, written assignments, team projects, and individual oral presentations. Completing AP Seminar is a prerequisite for AP Research.
Sample AP Seminar topics include:
• The impact of sleep deprivation in youth on academic achievement
• The application of musical chords and rhythm in instruction
• Environmental issues and sustainability
• Justice and equity
• Public opinion influence on Supreme Court ruling implementation
AP Research
Following AP Seminar, AP Research allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, or issue of individual interest. Students design, plan, and conduct a year-long investigation while honing research methodology skills acquired in AP Seminar. They gain competence in research ethics, data collection and analysis, and synthesizing findings. Like AP Seminar, AP Research relies on project-based evaluation; each student's score is based on an academic paper, an accompanying presentation, and an oral defense. There is no written end-of-year AP exam for this course.
Sample AP Research topics include:
• Food waste: Challenges and strategic solutions
• The future of the automotive industry
• Voting age significance and youth political engagement
• The intersection of mathematics and sports
• Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
• The role of arts in education
• Income inequality dynamics
How and When to Apply to the AP Capstone Diploma Program
Students interested in enrolling in the AP Capstone Diploma Program should apply to the School Guidance and Counseling Department before the academic year begins. Applications are evaluated by the AP Coordination Office, which then meets with the student and their parents to establish a personalized academic roadmap.
• 9th Grade: Students can begin their path by selecting foundational AP courses available to freshman students.
• 10th Grade: Students typically enroll in AP Seminar, completing the first milestone of the diploma.
• 11th Grade: Students proceed to AP Research, fulfilling the second core course requirement.
• Course Selection: In addition to Seminar and Research, students select 4 additional AP exams from our selection of 23 courses under the guidance of the AP Coordinator, achieving a score of 3 or higher on each to qualify for the AP Capstone Diploma.
Program Advantages for Higher Education
Graduating with the AP Capstone Diploma equips students with a dual diploma that sets them apart in international admissions, increases scholarship eligibility, and allows them to earn university credits or course exemptions at matriculation. Beyond global admissions, students acquire core academic, critical thinking, and research competencies essential for university success. Furthermore, universities in Türkiye increasingly recognize AP courses for course exemptions, credit transfers, and merit scholarships.