I am a high school junior in marching band. I enjoy playing my instrument but I hate band. I don’t get along with my band teacher at all and I usually sit there bored to death. I would much rather take an AP for a topic that I’m passionate about. Would it look bad on college aps to have quit band to take an AP class for something that I want to do when I’m older? My schedule doesn’t permit me to take band and another AP so it’s either one. I don’t do anything musical outside of band either.
I already let my band teacher know that I’m quitting but I can tell her I actually want to stay. I just need guidance and advice.
Thanks!!
Quitting band to do something you think you’ll enjoy much more is perfectly fine. If you were quitting to get the weightings boost to your GPA (and only for that reason), I’d feel differently. But the fact that you don’t enjoy the class and have something new you are eager to explore is perfectly reasonably IMO.
If you feel that quitting will “look bad” to colleges, you may have your GC explain your reasons in his/her LOR or you can use the “anything else we should know about you?” space. An explanation is not strictly necessary, but if you want to give one, those are two ways to go about it.
If you really hate band and like the AP class, it would be best for you just to quit band and pursue something you like more
If you hate band, are excited about a replacement AP class, and have already told your band teacher you are quitting, seems like a done deal.
Band is a fun class for many, but it’s not something that’s going to stand out on a college application. It’s certainly not something to stick with if you don’t like it.
have you stuck with marching band all your years in high school so far? Are you in a leadership position/can get it next year? i know marching band looks great on apps if you do it all 4 years and you end up becoming drum major/section leader or something.
If you enjoy band, stay in band. If you hate band, leave band.
Do make sure to think about things like :
Are band kids the bulk of my social group?
Do i enjoy marching band season and football games?
Is there any aspect of band that I might miss (like playing in the pit for the School Musical)
If you quit, I would pick up a new EC that works with your schedule.
I have done it for all 3 years. I tried out for drum major and didn’t get it due to favoritism in my band. I can’t be section leader next year since two juniors currently have those positions and their my friends. I would just be another trumpet player without a leadership role.
Quit band. Take an AP class you are interested in. If you want, you can look for an opportunity to continue playing trumpet outside of school. Perhaps you could give trumpet lessons. Use the extra info space on your applications to explain that you were not allowed to take both band and the AP you wanted and had to choose one or the other.