<p>With my current situation, Band doesn't fit into my schedule. I'd either have to drop AP US and take Regular US, or drop AP Environmental Science and take AP Chemistry. Now you're probably saying "You should definitely drop band! It sucks!" But here's the dilemma.</p>
<p>1] I'm the section leader for the Clarinets in Band. If I were to drop Band next year there would literally be like two decent Clarinetists. He obviously wouldn't be happy about that.</p>
<p>2] He's also the advisor for Tri-M (Honor Society for musicians), so he'd kick me out of that. It also means I won't have 4 years of Concert Band and Marching Band under my belt.</p>
<p>3] I won't be able to perform in All County and All State for the next two years (it's mandatory that you be part of your school's ensemble). But I'm in an outer orchestral group called Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, which I'll definitely be continuing.</p>
<p>Or you're probably thinking "take AP Chemistry! They like the rigor!" I'm expecting to get a C in that class, because my brother had a solid B- in that class and he's an Engineering major. Science is my weakest subject and AP Chemistry is the hardest science course in the school. I don't think I can afford to destroy my GPA Junior year. So yeah.</p>
<p>I'd appreciate all sorts of input. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>You listed three options - eliminate band, AP Environmental, or AP US. You don’t want to eliminate band, you implied that you suck at Chem… uh, obvious answer. Drop AP US for regular US, and if you still want to take the AP test go buy Direct Hits and get a 5, then brag about your sex score to the AP nerds who struggled with the test.</p>
<p>I also hope that no one below me suggests OP to drop band.</p>
<p>You clearly love band and music - the optimist in me believes that choosing that passion over straight academics will be something adcoms will appreciate. The realist is skeptical, and the pessimist is pretty sure you should drop band so you can take both your APs.</p>
<p>My first instinct on reading the first paragraph was to take AP Chem over ES. Really, if you enter the class expecting to get a C, you’re going to get a C. What are you expecting in ES? How much of an effect is that C going to have, and how do you think you’d do on the actual exam (which is also important, mind)? In regards to history: is there an honors option? Anything is better than regular, quite frankly.</p>
<p>Regardless of everything, though: your heart is clearly in band. I think you’d regret dropping it and missing out on that experience in the long run more than anything else. So do what you’re comfortable with (which, from the sounds of it, is dropping APUSH, when you can always take the test anyways).</p>
<p>Well to be honest, I don’t really have an emotional joy regarding Band. Not Music, just my school Band. The only problem is that I won’t be able to include in my “college resume” about All County, All State, Concert Band, Marching Band, Tri-M, etc. My brother says I should just drop Band because unless I plan on majoring in Music (which I don’t), it’s really not that useful. It just shows “irrelevant dedication.”</p>
<p>Also, if I drop Band, I have enough room to take AP Psychology. I’m planning to double major in Economics and Philosophy then goto Law School, so I figure that’d be relevant. And the thing with APUSH vs Regulars is the 15% weight my school gives for AP students. My school also doesn’t send colleges our unweighted averages, so there’s no discrepancy regarding the “Weighted vs Unweighted GPA.”</p>
<p>EDIT: Above, our school only has AP and Regulars US. :[</p>
<p>If you love music enough that you want to continue your music-related activities, then by all means do it. Music-based ECs =/= intended music career. </p>
<p>Ask my friend, an All-county flute player, Tri-M member, and drum major - she was accepted to MIT for Physics and IIRC she didn’t take AP Physics until senior year. Or my other friend - drum major, all-county band for /6/ years straight - who took AP Bio, AP Physics, and Anatomy while taking band, now he’s in a well respected pharmacy program as he had long wanted.</p>
<p>If you love music enough, then do it. The number one thing you don’t want to do is to regret NOT doing it. You can always take courses in your senior year.</p>
<p>1] Band
2] Dance
3] Philosophy
8] H Spanish
4] AP Calc BC
5] AP US History
6] AP English Lang
7] AP Environmental</p>
<p>Dance (Phys Ed) and Spanish (Second Lang) are mandatory courses. :/</p>
<p>I mean, even if I drop Concert Band, I still have MYO and Pit Band. I definitely do plan on playing Clarinet in college as well. So I’m really not worried about how much Music I’ll get to play, it’s pretty much if the Band ECs outweigh my GPA.</p>
<p>Assuming that that your three initial choices are your only possible choices, I still go with dropping AP US for regular US and then (if you want) taking the AP exam after studying Direct Hits. I literally studied 90% of what I knew in two days with that book and I’m feeling a 5. Besides, 3 APs in a year isn’t bad either…</p>
<p>It’s just that certain courses are only available at certain periods. Those are the only solutions. I’m currently leaning towards dropping Band, taking AP Chem or Regulars US would both destroy my GPA pretty much. I’d still have MYO and Pit Band, and I’d also be able to take AP Psychology, it’s just that I feel like my music credentials overall would be lost since I’d be giving up Band/Marching Band/Tri-M/All State.</p>
<p>I’d still really appreciate more input. Although I didn’t make a decision yet you guys are helping me out tons.</p>
<p>Don’t drop band. It sort of kills me to say it because I hate music, but since you love it so much and it’s important as part of your outside-academic interests. Seriously, DO NOT DROP BAND. It will look good on your applications. They like to see you have interests like music.</p>
<p>I would drop down to regular US History, buy an AP review book, and try to take the AP test anyway.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t drop Spanish. Languages are important. If you can drop the last two in favor of Psychology, that’d be great, but I wouldn’t stress it if you can’t.</p>