<p>My goal from doing either of these is just to get into an Ivy League College. So I have two choices. On the one hand I can pick Decathlon to go with my other activities and on the other I can pick band. It will look something like this:</p>
<p>-Band/Academic Decathlon
-Debate (State Qualifier)
-FBLA (Nationals, but it's just FBLA so...)
-Math UIL Team Member
-Science Olympiad (founder. I asked a teacher o start it, so I guess that counts)
-Mu Alpha Teta</p>
<p>If I pick Academic Decathlon, I will have
-a considerably higher GPA and class rank.</p>
<p>If I pick Band, then I will
-qualified for Region band
-be in the top band</p>
<p>Which one is going to look better. My main concern is that colleges expect me to have a time-consuming extracarricular like Band.</p>
<p>The colleges and universities that care about ECs do not care which one(s) you participate in. What matters is that it is something that you have chosen because YOU are interested in that activity. Your dedication to that activity (whatever it is) is what is important. </p>
<p>Oh, and by the way don’t say “it’s just FBLA”. That can be a terrific EC for a student who is truly interested and dedicated.</p>
<p>Wow that’s some pretty legit activities :P</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure I know which state you’re from (UIL gives it away); I did a bit of UIL too actually…but doing Academic Decathlon takes up a bunch of your time. Like…ALOT. Especially if your school is super competitive. Just do whatever activity you think you’d ENJOY the most, and not which one you’d think colleges WOULD LIKE to see the most. Hope that helped!</p>
<p>Yes, you absolutely should do band or academic decathlon. Either one could be a really rewarding, enriching experience.</p>
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<p>This is an absurdly venal reason for doing either one.</p>