Writing and Other Additional Requirements for AP Application

Pre-AP and AP English

Applicants for 2017-2018 Pre-AP and AP English courses are required to complete Writing Samples:

-Risingsophomoresapplying for Pre-AP English 10will receivetwo writing prompts through their Honors English 9 or CLUE teacherson Tuesday, March 7. Typed responses to these prompts are due in Mr. Harrison’s room (E-208) byThursday,March 9, at 2:30 PM. These writings will be assessed for original and insightfulcontent, standard use of grammar, and adherence to the printed instructions.

-Rising juniors applying for AP English Language will meet Mrs. Alsobrook in the cafeteria immediately after school, Wednesday, March 8th.

-Rising seniors applying for AP Literature will meet Ms. Fisher in the cafeteria immediately after school, Tuesday, March 7th.

-Arrive promptly, bring black pens, and plan to stay one hour. Students having conflicts (and they better be good!) must see the respective teachers after school prior to these dates.

AP Seminar Course (For rising juniors only)

Read as much as you can about the Capstone program. Write an essay about how you feel that you will grow through participating in the program as well as what you feel you personally will be able to contribute. Include details about AP courses you have taken as well as courses you plan to take and how your participation in the program and corresponding courses will connect your learning. Include local, national, or global issues, concerns, questions, or problems that are of interest to you. You might consider searching the web for “AP Capstone” for more information. Reference: https://lp.collegeboard.org/ap-capstone

AP Research (For rising seniors only – prerequisite: AP Seminar)

You are working on a single paper/project for approximately 7 months. Based on what you know about this class, write a reflection on your AP Research experience as if it is May of your senior year. Things to consider: what you learned; mentor; topic change; road bumps; deadlines; what you wish you knew when you started; etc.

AP Foreign Language – Spanish, French, Latin, German, Japanese

You must have the consent of the teacher who teaches the AP course. You must also indicate your current language teachers as one of your recommenders and tell him or her that you are applying for AP World Language.

AP Psychology

Compose a cogent, well developed minimum one (1) page double-spaced written response to one (1) of the following: 1. Stability vs. Change (do humans change over time or do we remain essentially the same people? do our personalities change in different situations? do we ever really "grow up"?) 2. Rationality vs. Irrationality (are we inherently wise or not? why do we do things that are bad for us when we know they are bad before we do them?) 3. Nature vs. Nurture (am I the way I am because I was born this way or because of my surroundings? biology/genes vs. life experiences)

AP Human Geography (Updated 2016)

In an era of globalization the viability of the state concept is threatened in a variety of ways.

Describe in detail one economic and one cultural reason why globalization threatens the authority of a state. Give specific examples since the year 2000.

AP US HISTORY AND AP EUROPEAN HISTORY WRITING PROMPTS (Updated 2016)

Candidates for AP US/AP European History should write about a historical event from the past and explain how this events it has relevance in the modern day world. For example, How did the Civil War in American History continue to impact our modern world? Or, for European History how did the French Revolution impact the world long after its conclusion? Student may also take a modern day current event and trace its development from past events. For example, how do fears of Syrian immigrants resemble reactions to immigrants in earlier periods of US/European/World History? This is known as making a synthesis point and is a key part of historical writing and analysis. Candidates should be prepared to support their writing with supporting evidence, facts, and examples.

AP World History

Choose a country or region in the world that you feel has been under-represented in World History. What place does not get the coverage that it deserves? Write a 1-2 page paper explaining why this particular place needs more attention in studies of World History. Make sure to include at least one person from the region and one major event that took place there.

AP Government

Choose a current public policy issue that is important to you. Write a 1-2 page paper that explains your position and arguments that back up your position as the proper position. Make sure to include the opposing arguments and refute those in your response.

AP Mathematics/AP Science Classes

Sophomores wishing to take AP physics will be required to take a placement test to determine readiness for AP physics. There is no assessment or writing assignment for math classes or science classes.

AP Computer Science

Students who are applying for AP Comp Sci need to take the test with Ms. Agee on Monday, March 6 at 2:30. It will last less than 30 minutes.

AP Computer Science Principles

An interview is required. Interviews will take place the week of March 20-24, 2017. You must schedule an interview by clicking here and choosing a time (link will be embedded in the application site) before submitting your application. If you do not schedule an interview, you will be rejected from the course.

Fine Art Courses

AP Studio Art

Portfolio of at least 10 works based on “Direct Observation”. This can include still life, figurative and landscape. Submit to Mr. Berlin for review by Friday, March 10th, 2017, 2:30pm. No writing test/assignment required. Teacher approval is required.

AP Music Theory:

Placement exams will be administered in the Bandroom. Date TBD (early March). Check with Mr. Sims for more information.

AP Art History

In the mid-fifth century B.C.E., a Greek sculptor wrote a treatise titled the Canon that was summarized as follows:Beauty consists in the proportions, not of the elements, but of the parts, that is to say, of finger to finger, and of all the fingers to the palm and the wrist, and of these to the forearm, and of the forearm to the upper arm, and of all the other parts to each other.

Identify the sculptor who wrote the Canon. Select and fully identify one work of art that reflects his ideas. Making specific reference to both the text above and your selected work, analyze how the work reflects those ideas.