I've been contemplating...

<p>So band's been fun and all, but I don't think it's the most fun I've had in high school. Plus, I think the mandatory class is pointless and extremely mundane. I have potential to be a good section leader...</p>

<p>-BUT-</p>

<p>I also want to be valedictorian of my class. I know I can place into the top 10 or 5, but that band class is putting my GPA down. Should replace more honors or APs with band to boost my chances at #1, or should I stay hoping for a spot at section leader? What do you think is more important to prestigious colleges, especially for premed? (Acknowledge that band isn't the most fun to me and that if I don't take the class, I can't do band.)</p>

<p>Pros of Staying:
-Qualified for Music Honor Society
-Potential Section Leader
-Music Knowledge
-Looks Good on Resume?</p>

<p>Pros of Quitting:
-Higher GPA due to more weighted classes
-Much more free time in summer for jobs/sports
-More time for sports during school
-No more experiencing pressure for playing</p>

<p>If you quit the band, you should find some other extracurricular you can dedicate yourself to. Otherwise, in order to get a higher GPA, take a few APs and study hard.</p>

<p>Colleges will understand. Stay in band, it’s good for you.</p>

<p>Being val is much better than being 5 or 10 at most colleges if you’re aiming high. You’ll get a lot of comments telling you to do what yo love, but there is a trade off. </p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Could not disagree more.</p>

<p>XX55XX-
Track, and i am decent. But thats really it besides volunteering, interact club, and science team. And I plan to take at least 8 AP tests.</p>

<p>If you LIKE band stay in it. If not, don’t. Don’t do things for the sake of college admissions.</p>

<p>I feel the same as above poster. I was in Orchestra; took it just to look good and hated evey second of it. Plus it lowered my GPA being that the best grade I ever got was a 96.
So this year, I said goodbye. I simply realized that doing things just to look good for college is a WASTE of energy time and space. After my second year in the back row, I am doing chorus and will hopefully love it.
LESSON: If U love it- stick to it. IF U don’t don’t do it for college
One of the biggest mistakes of my high school careeer.</p>

<p>There have been many posts on these boards with parents or students lamenting they did not know until too late that other kids were taking more weighted courses and it had badly effected rank. The bottom line is if you are aiming at a very top college it calls for a strategy. It’s fine to refuse to play any games as long as you’re happy with the net results.</p>

<p>So, should I quit if say I’m really good at it, but I just don’t like it enough to love it everyday? (By the way, I like the whole concept of band, I just have so much rancor for the mandatory class, I can’t stand it.)</p>