Is taking "AP Music Theory" worth it, even if your major is non-music related?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi, I'm currently a sophomore in high school.</p>

<p>To start off, my dream is to become an entrepreuner / businessman. I plan to major in Business and proceed to get a MBA, hopefully at UPenn, UChicago, Stanford or Harvard.</p>

<p>My current schedule is:</p>

<p>AP European History
Honors Chemistry
Honors PreCal/Trig
English 10
Spanish 3
Wind Ensemble (school's top band)
VS.net (Visual Studios - basically a computer class)</p>

<p>Here's my dilemma: I initially signed up for VS.net because it was a prerequisite to AP Java. Even though I already knew quite a bit of coding with Java, a new rule made VS.net
-mandatory- for all students, even the experienced ones.</p>

<p>I want to take AP Java because in this age of technology, even a businessman should know at least some computer programming. </p>

<p>But now, a new class has been offered at our school: AP Music Theory. I am seriously considering switching over to it. Here are my reasons:</p>

<p>1) I have much passion for music; I have played (not playing anymore) piano for 8 years; I have been playing clarinet for 4 years. I plan to take Wind Ensemble for all 4 years of high school. I want my college application to solidly reflect this love for music I have with an "AP Music Theory" course.</p>

<p>2) It's an AP class; VS.net is a regular class. It buffs up the GPA.</p>

<p>3) I plan on keeping music as a hobby for the rest of my life, so this class may facilitate me.</p>

<p>4) Although I think AP Java will be an integral part of being a businessman, I do not really see the use for learning to use and design with Visual Studios (correct me if I'm wrong).</p>

<p>I have referred a lot to CollegeConfidential for its clear and helpful answers. I'm counting on the forum to kindly inform/criticize this naive sophomore. Please, share all your thoughts, suggestions, or criticisms!</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>It looks like the class that you really WANT to take is Music Theory, so take that one. You will be happier, you will probably get a better grade, and a formal class in Java can wait. Chances are that once you hit college, if you want to take Java, or another computer science course, the department will have placement exams that will let you test out of the pre-reqs. that are equivalent to the VS.net course your HS offers.</p>

3

<p>If it interests you, go for it.</p>

4

<p>If it interests you take it, but be aware it isn’t an easy AP.</p>

5

<p>If you were going to be a computer engineer, I’d say the Java would be more important to your application … maybe.</p>

<p>Otherwise, follow your passion.</p>

6

<p>

</p>

<p>The path to an MBA usually involves an undergraduate major other than business administration, followed by good work experience, then going to MBA school.</p>

<p>If your interest is finance, be aware that a strong background in math is needed for “Masters of Financial Engineering” degree programs. (If you are taking precalculus/trigonometry in 10th grade, you are probably one of the top students in math, so it should not be a problem to take a lot of math in university, if that is your interest.)</p>

7

<p>Learning Java (and similar languages) and programming is a matter of practice – lots of practice. Programming classes can be a help for students who need a push to do assignments. But if you’re not one of those students, and are self driven, then the Java prep class is unlikely to be a big help to you in learning beginning programming. Further I doubt very much that it’ll impress anyone when your transcript is reviewed.</p>

<p>Music theory is another matter. It’s rigorous and difficult. And (as a side note) it will definitely strengthen your transcript.</p>