French or Band?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>Hello all,
So, I'm having a little bit of an inner conflict as far as scheduling goes. I have very few free spots in my schedule. I have one Sophomore year, one Junior year (assuming I do AP Chem), and one Senior year. This means that I have one slot where I can do a sequence of something (French, Band, something like that). I'm just having some trouble deciding what I want to do.</p>

<p>I'm an avid language learner (I learned a year of German in a semester and reached the level of Spanish 4 IB in two years, and am studying Russian and French outside of class), so it makes sense to take the French class. However, I think I may have more success just learning from a book and meeting with the French teacher to practice speaking and listening, as well as listening to French music (Stromae, anyone?). I just feel like I'd have to learn to much culture and useless vocab in the class when I could do it at a much quicker pace on my own focusing on just grammar and vocab.</p>

<p>As for band, I originally didn't sign up for it because I didn't enjoy it, but I listened to the Wind Symphony I students (the top students at our school) play and it really inspired me. In addition, I'll be getting my braces off this summer, so trumpet will definitely become better. I also have a lot of friends in band, and I don't think I'll make those kinds of friends in a French classroom. I'm currently second chair out of 11 or 12 trumpets.</p>

<p>The last question, of course, is that of colleges. Would I make for a more convincing applicant for taking 3 language classes? Or would I just have to demonstrate fluency (on an AP test, for example)? Languages are one of my big "selling points," as is writing (I've done rather well in some national competitions). What are your opinions?
Thanks in advance.</p>

<p>Lastly, do you think AP Chem is worth taking Junior year? I'm not sure what I want to do in college, but I don't think it will be related to biology. I would take another AP in its place (Maybe Music Theory or Art History), just not one that's as STEM oriented. That said, I'm still going up to Multivariable Calculus and taking AP Comp Sci and AP Physics, so I have no shortage of more "challenging" AP's.</p>

2

<p>Taking a class and getting good grades alone won’t show proficiency. Getting a good score on the SAT II or AP test will, and you are unlikely to achieve that without having attained the equivalent of the 4th level. I would not include languages as a selling point unless you have something to back it up. I commend you on your love of language learning.</p>

<p>AP Chem is worth taking . It’s a lot of work but so is AP Art History. If you think you are going to do something in STEM in college, I would do Chem.</p>

3

<p>Bump. Any ideas?</p>

4

<p>For me, I love both band and language, but given your predicament, I would suggest that you choose band. However, if you do band, you should do it for all 4 years so you show commitment. </p>

5

<p>Do band. I think it would be more impressive if you learned French outside of a class and if you got really good at it and took the AP exam. Also you’re 2nd chair in a big group, don’t give that up! (says the 1st chair trumpet player) I also think AP Chem is worth it, but considering the rest of your schedule AP Music Theory or AP Art History might be more fun. It’ll look challenging either way.</p>