Hi, I’m currently a sophomore, and I joined my school’s winter guard program this semester. Next September, I’ll have one extra period and I can either dedicate it towards color guard or I can choose an AP course. Which is a smarter decision? I’ll be taking 3 APs as a junior, and I’m already busy with three clubs. Will colorguard be too much? How do colleges consider it in applications? Please help! Thanks in advance!
Colleges want to see you doing things that you really enjoy and have a passion for. If you have a rigorous schedule, there is nothing at all wrong taking a class that you love doing.
My daughter is a senior (19) and this is in her final year of winter guard. She is academically ambitious taking 7 AP courses as a senior. She was determined not to let her daunting course schedule keep her from guard. She’s in guard because she just enjoys dance, flag and weapons work.
I think your decision should be based first on high school academics and your college future. Guard as an extra curricular is probably not going to get you noticed unless there is some sort of leadership role or community connections.
Some of the larger colleges and universities with marching bands have an associated guard, but I’m not aware of them actively recruiting to fill their ranks. My advice would be to do it for the love of guard, your show and your teammates but be prepared to give it up if it gets in the way of your college ambitions.
If you are doing color guard because it is something you want to do, then keep it. If you are doing it because you think it shows you are “involved” and will impress colleges, then take the AP class instead.
Thank you! This is such great information. I am doing it because I’m enjoying it, but I’m a newbie, and I don’t plan to take it with me to college. I’m just scared of the workload that comes with it - I really don’t want it to overwhelm me.
Thing about color gurard and marching band is they take a lot of time. Colleges know that. In that respect, if you can blend it with other solid ECs and solid grades, great. It’s dedication.
But we don’t know enough about what APs to give the usual/general advice about them. Eg, if the choice is some misc, random, not challenging AP versus a core subject that would prepare you for both admissions and the college courses.