<p>I have a kid who has very average grades and hopes to major in music performance so will be applying to conservatories, colleges/universities with schools of music and maybe lacs. I realize that my question here is immaterial to conservatories, but I am concerned that he will not get accepted or he won't get enough $ to attend a conservatory or that he someday change his mind and want to go into something else (not that he's shown any sign of that-- but I just don't want him unprepared). So, how important is senior year math and science? Here are the stats: gpa 3.0uw, 3.5w, no test scores yet but I predict very average scores-- around 1700. Senior year schedule: Required for graduation: AP Eng, Honors Social Studies, pe Other classes: AP foreign language, IB Music, 2 music classes. Kiddo has 4 years of honors math, through Precalc and 3 years of honors science: Bio, Chem and Physics. Grades in math/science haven't been high although he likes both subjects. I planned on his taking AP Calc AB next year but his current teacher started teaching them calc early and he is really struggling-- got a D on his first test. I am quite sure he could turn that around next year with enough time and studying-- however, we will have to plan trips for auditions and he will also have outside music commitments. Do you think that schedule would be the kiss of death at a lac?</p>
<p>Can anyone help, please?</p>
<p>Are there any particular schools he is interested in? If not, make a list of potential schools. Then take a look at their entrance requirements (or recommended high school classes) and also look at what type of math and science classes are required for music majors. </p>
<p>My son’s friend - a music major - took College Algebra his senior year (1 semester) as a dual credit class from a local community college because he knew that was the only math he needed for the college he wanted to attend. He had already met his high school math requirements, but this allowed him to “show” a math class his senior year (for application purposes) AND have it count for college credit.</p>
<p>Also look , if you can, at what sort of SAT math scores music kids get at the schools of interest. He should almost certainly take math senior year, but perhaps statistics would be a better choice. It’s easier, and more generally useful.</p>
<p>Thank you both! Hmmm… the College Algebra is a good idea. nemo, I can’t figure out how to gets stats on music majors. I suspect that, at the lacs, they look more or less like everyone else. I’m not sure how scores/grades have to line up at the big universities where there’s a separate school of music but I think his math test scores will be fine since the SAT doesn’t cover Calculus. I know stats is considered an ‘easier’ class but I think he would struggle with the language aspect-- I think.</p>