I will be a senior next year, and I was in Concert Orchestra (1st level) my 9th grade year, I didn’t get orchestra on my schedule my 10th grade year, and I was in Symphonic Orchestra (2nd level) this year. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make Chamber Orchestra (3rd and highest level) for next year. So is it worth it to take another year of Symphonic Orchestra or should I take an additional AP class (I’m already scheduled for 5 next year)? Do colleges only care about orchestra and band if you are in the highest level?
@GrantC46 Do whatever you think you’ll enjoy best. If it is playing in the orchestra, then go for it. If it’s that additional AP class, then go for that.
In terms of admissions, you are already taking five AP’s next year, and six vs. five likely won’t make a difference.
Orchestra makes you look more well rounded, in my opinion.
Depends on what you like. If you enjoy Chamber Orchestra more than that AP class, take the Orchestra. 5 AP is a lot of AP, too. I’d go with the Orchestra.
5 vs. 6 APs won’t make a difference to admissions but will severely cut into your sleep time. So, only negatives, no positives.
Sticking through with Symphony Orchestra will be better than taking an AP, since colleges like consistency and taking/dropping orchestra wouldn’t look good, not to mention they wouldn’t be familiar with the ‘levels’ of orchestra at your school and will be very fine with 2 years in Symphony. Only positives.
The choice should be easy. 
6 APs in a year? How many gave you already done? 5 is plenty, and assuming you took rigorous courses in the other years, you should be fine. Cut yourself a little slack and take a class you enjoy in your senior year. My kid with high stats did that. She has a total of six APs in school, and one self study AP. She has four APs this senior year and took art because she really enjoys art. Try to enjoy your senior year a bit. You may well regret not giving yourself any time to enjoy high school.
Thanks everyone for you advice. I chose Orchestra for next year
5-6 AP courses presumably includes some of the lightweight elective ones like human geography. Be sure it is one of those that you drop in favor of music, not an AP option in a core subject like English or math (calculus).