Advice Needed! Urgent!

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm currently a junior and I've done marching band for three years. However, I have been thinking about not doing band next year as a senior due the amount of time that it takes up. I have been a leader for two years, and my marching band is one of the top bands in the nation. I am afraid that not doing band for four years in a row would look bad on my application, but I really DREAD doing band next year (there is also band politics involved besides the time issue, I don't feel that I'm having fun in there anymore). The band seasons goes well into November, when I need to raise my SAT score and work on my college applications.</p>

<p>So, should I continue with band?</p>

<p>Pros: 4 years, leader for 3 (I'm guaranteed a position)
Cons: TIME CONSUMING (extremely LONG hours, even during summer), politics, need time for SATs and apps.</p>

<p>I do have other ECs to back me up.
Key Club 4 years, president next year. CSF 4 years, president next year. NHS 3 years. Link Crew 2 years.
Volunteer place 150+ hours, will gain another 100+ during summer (this does not include hours from Key Club, CSF, NHS, etc)
I know my ECs don't sound that impressive, but I do enjoy doing community service for doing service.</p>

<p>Other Stats:
GPA (unweighted) 4.0
Took 2 APs sophomore year, 5 APs junior year, will take 5 more senior year</p>

<p>SAT, have not yet reached 2000, I'm working on a 2100+ (that's why I need time besides band)
SATII, 800 CH, will take Math IIC and US History in June</p>

<p>So is band for the fourth year going to be a crucial point? Or are the SAT scores more important??</p>

<p>I am looking into some top-notch private schools such as Stanford, besides the top UCs (I live in CA).</p>

<p>THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVICE!</p>

2

<p>I'd stick with it. You've done MB for three years and maintained a 4.0? Will you have time to study for the SAT during the summer?</p>

3

<p>Thanks for your opinion.
Yes I've gotten straight A's with band (haha I can't believe it myself). It'll be hard to study for SATs over with band over the Summer. Band camp takes up more than a month in total, and I do volunteer work at Washington D.C. for at least 2 weeks. So with band and volunteer, my summer's pretty gone with AP summer assignments.</p>

4

<p>Focus on the SATs.</p>

5

<p>You should focus on the SATs, but don't leave band, either. You've stuck with it all this time, it wouldn't make sense to leave it now.</p>

6

<p>Could you talk to the band director about your situation? Maybe he/she could give you some extra time for studying?</p>

7

<p>Wow, I'm basically in the same boat with you here.</p>

<p>I've been in Symphony for about six years, and I really don't have any volunteer or other ECs to back me up.</p>

<p>I'm a Junior... and I'm so worried.</p>

8

<p>I think I would probably leave band. If you're really dreading it there's no point in doing since you do have other ECs. I would sop doing band and concentrate on the SATs, and maybe you could get in some other volunteer work or something to replace band with.</p>

9

<p>bump
thanks for those who has contributed so far</p>

10

<p>tests are particularly important at Stanford, but a little less so at Cal and UCLA. Study in July and early august, and take the Oct SAT tests. Can you lighten the AP load senior year? Good luck.</p>

11

<p>Stick with it - if you are applying to the elite schools; they look for consistency and passion. 2100 plus is achievable; you have a whole summer to plan and improve your scores but do not procrastinate. Good luck.</p>