2 AP courses vs. Orchestra

Pre-College Issues High School Life
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<p>My schedule for next year (junior year) has some conflicts.</p>

<p>So far, I’m going to be taking Honors Government/Comparative Politics and Orchestra (among other courses). I was slated to take AP Gov/Comparative Politics, but that would conflict with other courses. Although I would be able to take the AP exam and the honors course is essentially the same as AP, only a little slower (so I would have to learn some of the material by myself before the May AP test), it still gives the same weighted GPA.</p>

<p>Most likely the “other courses” that my counselor refuses to disclose before the schedules are officially passed out will include/just be orchestra. This is because there is only one period Orchestra is held, and that period is the same every year, unlike the constant shuffling of other courses.</p>

<p>I have a few questions:</p>

<li><p>When colleges see my transcript and see that I took Honors Gov/Comp Pol instead of AP, how would that affect my chances for admission (since this would not be the hardest courseload possible)? I would still take the AP exam.</p></li>
<li><p>Conversely, how important is orchestra in terms of ECs? If orchestra is the reason why I can’t take AP Gov, I could always drop it. This in turn would open up another space for something like AP Bio. I’m not the best at my instrument, so the only accolades I’ve won/could win would be principal cellist in my school orchestra, participation in a honors city or state orchestra (like All-State), and advancing to state level from the district solo competitions. I enjoy playing music and would prefer this scheduling conflict to not occur in the first place, but I’m willing to give it up.</p></li>
</ol>

<p><em>Is AP Gov (instead of Honors Gov) + AP Bio > the EC and easy honors grade of orchestra?</em></p>

<p>Note: I would take AP Bio senior year anyway, but in the end, my taking it this year would allow for another AP course senior year, possibly Statistics.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance for your input.</p>

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<p>bump (10 chars)</p>

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<p>It's good that your school offers Honors-- usually its either regular or AP level. I suggest sticking with orchestra if you are really passionate about music. But really, I dont think it would make a big difference. taking 2 extra AP's may be more/less equivalent to the EC (in terms of how much time is involved). On the other hand, if your school is really competitive and other ppl take a bunch of AP's, you may be at a disadvantage.</p>

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<p>I go to a somewhat large public high school, but there are a few who will take as many APs (or one more) than me. </p>

<p>So you don't think colleges will look at my transcript, see honors government, and immediately toss out my app (or at least view it less highly) since it isn't the most challenging course? I mean, they would still see that I took the AP test for government. I know that colleges always like to see kids taking the hardest schedule possible, but would I be able to tell them about how this scheduling conflict forced me to take honors, or would that even be necessary if colleges don't care about honors vs. AP?</p>