Help a torn sophomore out?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>Hey everyone, long time lurker on cc, first time poster. </p>

<p>Anyways, I am currently a sophomore. Class sign-ups for next year is going to start pretty soon, and I have the hardest decision to make: do I take AP Calculus AB, or continue to take band?</p>

<p>Because of the way my school operates, band and AP Calculus AB is both first block, and while it's possible for me to take both, I have decided most definitely on taking Apush next year first block, which only leaves band or calculus left.</p>

<p>I know that colleges like to see that you are challenging yourself by taking hard classes, but I also know that colleges love to see extra-curricular activities, and I really like band. However, the seniors are going to leave after this year and band probably won't be the same anymore and I just don't if it's going to be worth it.</p>

<p>Also, I really dig math. And really, while it's nice that I would be getting an extra grade point for that class, I also want to take it just because I like to challenge myself. I'm good at playing the flute, but math is definitely my best subject. I know that if I work hard at it, I could get a good grade in that class. My father used to teach math at a college in China, so I know that if I ever got stuck, I could turn to him for help.</p>

<p>However, if I'm also plan on taking a bunch of other AP/honors classes next year- English honors, AP Bio, Physics Honors (they don't offer AP physics anymore, which is a damn shame), AP Stats, in addition to my two electives Spanish III and Advanced Art. And I'll still be in band for 0 block, which is before school, but I know that the class before school isn't the same (less intimate, less discipline, less bonding). And the thing is, I already feel as if I spend way too much time in band; I honestly have no time during the week day for anything except piano, flute, and homework.</p>

<p>But it feels like a damn shame to quit band, especially when I've improved so much from freshman year (I went from dead last chair to second chair) and after the seniors leave, I know the director is going to be counting on me to step it up and take on the responsibility of being a section leader. If I leave, then no one is going to be left in the flute section other than the incoming freshmen and this year's freshman flute, who is quite good for a newbie but it is completely unthinkable to thrust upon him all the hard first chair parts in his sophomore year.</p>

<p>So, I'm asking you, from a college's point of view, from your own point of view, which is most beneficial: band or AP Calculus AB?</p>

2

<p>Well, AP Calc by far. What do you want to do in college? Is there any way you could take AP stats this year and then AP Calc next year? </p>

<p>If I was in this situation I would take band and then take Calc through an online course.</p>

3

<p>I was in a very similar situation as a rising sophomore - choosing between orchestra and AP Calc. I ended up choosing Calc, continued to take private lessons on the violin, and jumped right back in the orchestra the following year (junior year). As a current senior, I don't regret the decision - it gave me a leg up in admissions for having AP Calc done early and gave me more options in the next years.</p>

4

<p>I was doing the exact opposite, thinking to myself what courses can I do as to never have a calc class</p>

<p>in the end it didn't matter because accelerated math means you have to do it for at least 1 year in order to fulfill diploma requirements</p>

5

<p>I was thinking of just doing AP Stats my junior year and then waiting until senior year to do AP Calculus AB, but I read somewhere that colleges don't consider stats as serious of an AP as they do calculus. I mean, I could take it senior year, but I don't think colleges look at senior year schedule the way they do junior year, and I would have liked to have taken AP Calculus as a junior to show them. </p>

<p>What I'm really asking is, what would better impress colleges: taking an AP Calculus class, or being first chair in band?</p>

6

<p>From an application standpoint, which one is more hook-like for you? If you had to choose between math and band, which one really represents you more / is stronger for you / could be portrayed as a "passion"? </p>

<p>If you're not going into a math-related major, band might be the right choice if it is the answer to the above question. However, if you are unsure, I would go with AP Calc because it is more rigorous and proves your merit, assuming you do well.</p>

7

<p>Yes, math is definitely my thing (I plan on majoring in something related to math or science in college... I've always been really strong in math&science), but while I don't love music as much, it is still something I enjoy doing. If I keep at it, I could even maybe make All-State Honor Band next year, or some other kind of honor bands. Being in band just offers so many opportunities and while it's not mentally challenging, it takes a lot of devotion and heart to be part of a group. Also, while it's not exactly common for a junior to take AP Calculus AB, it's not unheard of, but not everyone can list band as an extra-curricular activity. Plus, my band tours; we've been nationally ranked before and next year, we plan on going to Chicago. </p>

<p>Then again, taking AP classes would boost my GPA and show colleges that I'm serious in pursuing math and it might help that I'm a girl interested in math and sciences (haha maybe not so much these days, but still). Also, I know a lot of sophomores planning on taking AP Calc next year, and I'm sure they'll load up on AP and honors classes as well- assuming they get all A's (I'm sure they could, they are very smart), then their GPA would be higher than mine and I don't think I could stand it!</p>

8

<p>It sounds like you've already made your choice then - Calc. You can still participate in band things if you talk to your band director - you don't need to be in a school band to compete for All-State, and you could probably still do regional honors bands too [depending on their specific rules].</p>

9

<p>Take Calc. You're obviously interested in math, so this shouldn't be a hard decision, considering you can continue to take band before school. You can always take band again senior year if it fits in your schedule.</p>

10

<p>haha. I quit band because I hated my director and his class was making it impossible to schedule a second math class. However I've been playing flute for ~10 years and music in general for even longer, so the choice to quit was pretty simple. And I took AP Calc and AP Stats my sophomore year instead. much more fun (and work!) than band and I think it definitely helped my applications more than an extra year of band would have. If you like music, don't quit your instrument. Keep playing it, even if it's just a side thing that you do recreationally. maybe join a low key church or community chamber group or keep doing private lessons and compete?</p>

11

<p>Calc...I think you would've gathered that by now</p>

12

<p>Cal, u can still participate in band activities, At my school you can even participate in the concerts as long as the basn director hears you play the music so he/she knows you can play it well.</p>

13

<p>Yeah, definitely go with calc.</p>

14

<p>Also, there are usually outside groups that students can join- youth orchestras/symphonies, chamber groups, etc. Ask your band director if any such groups exist.
I'd also suggest taking/continuing private lessons and rejoining band senior year (although it doesn't really seem like you actually like band).</p>

15

<p>ok so i skipped all the other replies so i hope what i am going to say has not alreayd been said.</p>

<p>well i was facing the exact same issue last year (i am now a senior) with JROTC. i REALLY wanted to take ap calc ab but the only way it would fit into my schedule was to drop jrotc. i really loved the class but i felt that ap calc would be more beneficial to me since i love math and for my future since i plan on doing premed. well i talked to a lot of college counselors and they all pretty much said the same thing. it doesnt really matter which one you decide to take since the rest of your schedule is pretty rigorous. since you still will be involved in band before school you can still put it on your resume as an ec.</p>

<p>it sounds to me that you are just ready to branch out and discover other things outside of band since it seems to be taking over your life. i would drop band as a class, take ap calc, and still do the band thing in the morning. </p>

<p>good luck with whatever choice you make!</p>

16

<p>To hell with what colleges think.</p>

<p>It's your life. Have fun. That's all that matters.</p>