Hey guys! I have a decision to make; this fall (as a sophomore) I can either take Jazz Band or AP Statistics. I like jazz band; I’m taking the class this year and the overall atmosphere is nice and relaxing. It’s not as easy a class as most people think; improvising is always a challenge (a fun one at that). If I decide to take jazz band in the fall, I’d take the class junior and senior year too. However, it’s not weighted so it’d really bring my GPA down (and affect my class rank). I’m really good at playing the piano, and I feel that if I decided to put that as an extracurricular on my college application, taking four years of jazz (I play piano in jazz) would help. On the other hand, I feel that AP Stats would be a good class to take just as an intro to stats. Maybe I’ll learn something beneficial from that class. Additionally, it’s an AP so it is weighted, and will help boost up my GPA. However, it’s such a common AP to take, and it’s easier than some other APs (not that I’m saying Stats is easy), so I don’t know if colleges will detract from that.
Do colleges look more at unweighted GPA or weighted GPA? Is it okay if I have one completely unweighted, normal class that is considered by most easy? And does class rank really matter that much?
I think you should take Jazz Band, you’ll enjoy it more and colleges like to see depth in electives such as music. Im pretty sure that colleges look more at unweighted GPA and class rank not being that important as long as you’re high enough. My school doesn’t even have class ranks and weighted GPAs.
I think you should take jazz band. Honestly, you’ll stand out a lot more to colleges if you can play piano in jazz rather than being one of the MANY people that take a bunch of AP classes. Plus, you’re not a robot, and you need time to relax and do something you enjoy. Good luck!
That is my opinion as well.
Nor does mine.
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It really does depend. Are you taking any math classes? If you are, then I think you should take Jazz - although it won’t boost your GPA. If you are NOT, then I think you should take AP Stats. Colleges like to see math classes.
AP Stats was a relatively boring math class for me (compared to AP Calculus AB, BC) - if you are already taking another math class, I suggest having some fun and taking jazz band. I wish my HS offered such music classes.