Band, Math, and Extracurricular Issues

Applying to College
1

<p>Senior Year of Highschool Issues
Background:
So I've been taking band since elementary school; I started playing saxophone, but eventually switched to guitar/jazz band in eighth grade. Since then I've played in the high school jazz band, which to be honest is a joke at our school. We do not attend competitions and only play at the high school or district band performances. So there is not a lot going on there that is keeping me the least bit interested.
Moving onto my academics, my school does not offer an AP Calculus BC class and I already took AP Calculus AB since I'm looking into engineering. Therefore I'm determined to take a Calculus class at the local community college in addition to my regular load in high school during fall semester. I already took a science class(Astronomy, for engineering) in college this summer so that I wouldn't have to take one in high school senior year (AP Biology, not engineering based).
I was on a school sports team freshman-sophomore year, but due to permanent back and leg issues I can no longer play that sport. Now I don't have too many EC's besides Jazz Band, CSF, French Class (if you count that), volunteering, and a few other clubs like Rotary. </p>

<p>Problems:
I haven't taken my second year of PE class yet, so that has to be on my schedule. I got my schedule yesterday and i have Jazz Band, AP French 4, AP EuroHistory, English 4, AP Gov/Econ, and Team Sports. The issue is I had not even signed up for EuroHistory in the first place but got stuck with it since I'm not allowed to have a gaping hole in my schedule. In addition to getting stuck with EuroHistory, I had signed up for Bowling as a 0 Period so that I would have an open period and be able to study for/take Calculus BC at the local Community College.</p>

<p>Question: I do not feel that I'd have enough time to drive to the Community College after school without an Open Sixth Period and the only classes that my counselor said I can drop for Bowling are either Jazz Band or AP French 4. Is it a good decision to drop one of these and replace it with bowling (keep in mind I'd drop team sports from the end of my day so that I could leave early) in order to take a math class at the CC? Which would be best to drop? Would dropping Jazz Band after 3 years in highschool and a bunch more in Elem./Middle School look bad (especially since I don't have very many EC's)?</p>

2

<p>Sorry for the long thread post, I figured getting as much information in there as possible would get me the best advice. If you’re wondering anything else regarding my academics, ECs, or just general information that college will look at, go ahead and ask me.</p>

3

<p>Bump.
I really need to know if dropping Jazz Band would be that big of a deal, I can only setup a meeting with my counselor within two days</p>

4

<p>I would advise you to forget about what colleges will think and allow yourself to enjoy your senior year. However, given the amount of time you’ve already dedicated to band, to quit your senior year may cast a shadow of doubt about your “passion” for the EC. Would it be possible for you to keep band, drop AP French, and just self-study for the test? You don’t have to take the test, but it would be nice, especially if you’ve taken French classes your other three years.</p>

5

<p>Yes, that could be one way of approaching it, but wouldn’t dropping French, studying, and still taking the test just make my outside work even harder(since I’ll be taking class at a CC as well)?
I guess I’m asking if dropping Jazz Band for bowling/extra study time seems worse than dropping AP French for the same reasons. Would joining a small jazz ensemble outside of school ease the “shadow of doubt”? Also, you should know as of now I actually feel more comfortable dropping Jazz Band because it has simply gotten so boring and keeping French because it has that AP boost…</p>

6

<p>Bump, I talked to a band teacher from another school and he said he has an after school small combo. Would dropping jazz band and playing in that combo validate my “passion” for music?</p>

7

<p>Don’t worry about what colleges will think, do what you will enjoy that will not lead to a super stressful senior year.</p>

8

<p>I have a similar problem to this right now (orchestra vs. AP class), but I think playing the combo would still show your commitment to music. I doubt that any college would reject you solely on the fact that you didn’t take a specific class in senior year!</p>