<p>This summer, I'll be a rising senior with aspirations of becoming a physician and I plan to apply to such places as Duke, Johns Hopkins, etc. I attended a former Governor's School for Health Care last year, so I applied to the UPCI, an international cancer research opportunity. Basically, it's 8 weeks of researching under a doctor with a final presentation of our findings and a written paper. At this point, I would love to become an oncologist, so I find this program to be incredibly interesting and a great addition to my otherwise semi-typical resume. I want to stress that I genuinely find cancer research interesting. I received notice yesterday of my acceptance into the program.
However, I have dreaming of becoming Captain of Dance Team since I was in the eighth grade. It's my favorite EC and I have devoted several hundred hours per year practicing. Only rising juniors and seniors who have been on the team for 2+ years are allowed to audition for captain, and I'm the only junior on the team. The only sophomores are on the colorguard, so they aren't allowed to audition for Dance captain. Unless the rules are changed, I will literally be the only person auditioning for Captain. I auditioned last year, knowing that I wouldn't be selected, but for the experience. I feel like I would be able to choreograph a decent routine for my audition, so it is very likely that I could be chosen as Captain this year.</p>
<p>So UPCI is 8 weeks long and my summer is 10 weeks long. It runs into the first of two weeks of band camp, which is mandatory, as well as every other summer practice. If I'm captain or even just a member of the team, I can't miss so many. I need to accept my seat for UPCI by Wednesday but auditions for Captain/Dance Team won't be until mid-May. I won't see my coach until Tuesday. I am trying to work something out between the two activities, but if I can't work something out, what do you advise that I choose? The team that I have been so dedicated to and love or an incredible opportunity that directly relates to my future?</p>