Hi. I’m a current high school freshman who is working to get into a good college/become successful (I know the former does not equal the latter and vice versa, just a goal).
I am someone who has been in my school band since fourth grade. While I don’t love it or stand out at it, it is something I enjoy doing simply because I like the flute and like being around my friends.
However, it seems that everyone who gets into a good school was the best at everything they did. This is simply not the case for band. Yet, if I continue to do it next year, along with marching band, it will mean giving up a lot of precious time that I could be using to take part in clubs and activities I enjoy and excel in. If I do concert band, I won’t be able to take Spanish 2 because I only have space for 8 credits. If I add marching band to this next fall, I won’t get home till 10 PM two days a week (while also playing a sport and taking 3 AP classes).
So my question is: If my goal is an Ivy League school, is it worth it to take part in an activity—that I do not excel at and takes up a lot of time that could be used more “productively” —just because I enjoy this activity?
On top of this, today’s the deadline to sign up for marching band for next fall so I really need to come to a conclusion!
You don’t have to be the best at everything you do to get into a good school. If you enjoy doing band and can reasonably fit it into your schedule, continue with it. The only question I have based on your post is what your plan for foreign language study is if you were to not take Spanish 2. Many colleges require you to have taken a certain number of language classes, just like your other core classes.
You should also expand your vision beyond the Ivy League. It’s an athletic conference. It’s become sort of a badge of honor, but the schools and the experience you’ll have there vary widely. Depending on what you want to do, many Ivy schools would be the last place you want to go. For your ECs, do what interests you.
first there is no magical selection of anything that guarantees ivy league. I can tell you my nephew played no sports, band, national awards etc and got into ivy league
Band it a great ec if you enjoy it. However many colleges want to see 2 years of the same foreign language and the higher up in selective colleges like ivy league usually want 4 years. It is considered a core subject and is an easy way to weed out people when they have tons of applicants.
Colleges know that there is a big time commitment with marching band. They know it isn’t a hour a week right after school. If you don’t want to do it that if fine but if you do talk to your gc for tips on how to do band along with your core classes. Yes you can’t do everything so you will need to narrow down what you can realistically do. In terms of college they are not looking for quantity but more for passion, how you grow with an activity etc.
Yes, I was originally planning to take Spanish as an extra credit online but my Spanish teacher did not like this. I have compromised to quit band in order to take Spanish, but do marching band in the fall. This is sad because my school is taking their huge band trip to Florida next year but gotta compromise haha.
I agree, thank you for that insight!
Hi, thank you for your advice! I have decided to go with quitting concert band in order to take Spanish, but doing marching band outside of school in the fall as a compromise.
You had space for both concert band and Spanish this year, right? So what extra class was added that now makes you have to choose?
Yes I did. However, I am planning on taking AP chemistry next year, which is a year long course (takes up 2 semesters) as well as honors and AP calc (which must be taken in the same year).
I am taking the ap chem exam in a week though so if I pass I will not have to take the class next year, which may open up my schedule a bit.
Are math and science not already built into the curriculum? Or are you doing two science classes?
In the curriculum there is space for 4 core classes and 4 electives each year. AP calc will count as an elective, although I must take it with honors calc. AP chemistry is year-long, so it takes up the space of 2 classes. However, I do not have the option to not take these classes so that is what is making it difficult. Hope that makes sense 
That’s interesting. I’ve never heard of a high school with a schedule like that. I hope it all works out in the end.
I hope so too, thank you!!!