<p>I started band sophomore year, after not being in it since 7th grade. I was in a new school, and didn't want to take on such a big task my first year. I liked it last year, but the program has gone very downhill this year, and is taking up a lot of my time. I have 3 AP classes, and the rest of my classes are pretty challenging. The band program is taking lots of mandatory trips and is forcing the students to compete in competitions this semester, all of which I am not interested and feel I do not have the time for. </p>
<p>Overall, band has just been a huge stress this year, and now that it is second semester, I have the option to drop out, which I would love to do. However, I'm worried about college applications. I have not been steadily involved in any extracurriculars; only doing band for 1 1/2 years, and I was in another club for 2 years. My grades aren't spectacular, I'm in the 25% of my school. My SAT score is pretty good, and I'm hoping to make it better. I want to make it into University of Texas or A&M, ideally, but I am open to going to a satellite school and feeding in later on, if possible. I am just worried that my lack of involvement with extracurriculars, or my habit of "quitting", will hurt my chances. </p>
<p>I am definitely not doing band as a senior, it is not an option. Will dropping this semester affect my grades, or should I just deal with the stress for a semester, and possibly let my grades suffer, to be able to have it on my application?</p>