<p>I have been doing orchestra since 4th grade and i am a freshman in high school. Next year i was thinking of dropping orchestra for an art class. I heard some people say that orchestra is good for college and some say it doesn't really matter. So i am wondering does orchestra really affect my chances of getting into a college?</p>
<p>Well if that’s really what you’re passionate with, I’d say go with art class. When you stick with something just because you think it’ll be better for college admissions, it shows. However, being in orchestra since 4th grade really shows dedication and a passion for music if combined with other music-related activities. Is doing both not an option? I did both and then some throughout highschool and it was very manageable. What year are you in highschool? Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior?</p>
<p>I dont have any room on my schedule to do both and i am a freshman. </p>
<p>Okay, well then it really depends on your particular situation. How much time have you devoted to your instrument? How good are you? How much potential do you think you’ll have? I know I devoted my life to finetuning my musical skills, quitting orchestra for art would have been a mistake in my situation. If this is going to be your main EC for college and you’re pretty high up there skill-wise, I wouldn’t recommend dropping it. However, if you really aren’t that dedicated to it, and you really want to get into art instead, then I’d probably go with art. I loved my art class and still love creating art and photography and whatnot, but it’s strictly a hobby and not something I even mentioned in my app. </p>
<p>You know what though? You’re a freshman. And really, I regret basing my highschool decisions on college anyways. In the end, I had to go to a college with absolutely no prestige because of finances so none of it mattered. I don’t want to encourage someone to base their life on the college app because that’s the worst thing one can do. Especially for elite colleges, trust me, they can smell fakeness from a mile away. Do what you’re truly passionate about, but if you’re going to do something, then do it well. That’s my real advice, not my “CC” advice.</p>
<p>In college im not going to be playing orchesta, i am ok at it, i have other EC like sports. </p>
<p>Personally I’d keep orchestra because dropping activities doesn’t show dedication</p>
<p>Yeah @bodangles, that’s what I kind of thought, but it sounds like it’s really not even OP’s main EC. Because of that, I would choose art class if she’s truly passionate about art, because it sounds as if she has other areas she can showcase dedication in. Orchestra seems to be purely a hobby, replacing it with another pure hobby won’t affect much in the long run. Have to enjoy some of your highschool years anyways right?</p>