This is not a “should I drop orchestra to take more AP classes” type of question. I’m better than my classmates but not good enough to get into chamber orchestra. Honestly, it just feels like I’m getting absolutely nothing out of it. It’s a waste of 40 minutes when I could be learning something more interesting) There are also a bunch of science electives I would love to take (eg Med Tech, Human Systems, Forensic Science) that will only fit into my schedule if I quit orchestra now or quit math senior year (in which I would already have 5 math credits in). However, if I do drop orchestra, I will have to forefeit my membership in the Tri-M Music Honor Society.
Which one sounds like a better idea-- staying in Orchestra (which means staying in Tri-M, having a transcript that looks better to colleges, having to drop math senior year to take those science electives, and being miserable for the rest of high school) or quitting orchestra (which means quitting Tri-M, being able to take science electives without dropping math, and being happier for the rest of high school)?
You should continue to take math and science, just drop orchestra. You should take what makes no happy, not only what looks good on applications. Forget about Tri-M. There’s other honor societies anyway. Why do you need those science electives (I’m guessing the three you listed are the electives)? Unless you’re done with AP Calc BC and AP Stats you shouldn’t really consider dropping math for an elective and/or a music class.
Thanks for the reply @Anish14. In my school, there’s only Tri-M and NHS. So yea I guess there are other honor societies out there. It’s not so much that I need to take them as I want to take them and it would be a better waste of time than wasting it on orchestra. I could finish BC by junior year and opt out of multi-var senior year? idk.
Actually, I wanted to quit violin so I could focus on piano at home. I do want to continue to pursue music, just not through orchestra. I’m taking AP Music Theory next year if that’s worth anything. . .
I personally didn’t mind learning music, I just hated the way schools teach it. I would drop it and focus on Piano at home. That class isn’t worth more than Calc BC.
I’ll say this, I see a TON of threads on CC with people saying “I love orchestra/band/chorus - but I want to add more APs to my schedule, so I’m willing to drop this activity that I love for the sake of my college app!”. \
You, on the other hand actually gave GOOD reasons to quit.
You feel like you’re gaining nothing from orchestra, you’d rather be taking science courses, and you think you’ll be miserable for the rest of high school. Honestly, it seems like Tri-M is the only thing keeping you from quitting - but it’s not worth it.
You can still continue with both piano and violin, just not in a school orchestra setting. Even if you just continue both at home. There are ways to pursue music outside of school and you’re taking AP Music Theory next year anyways.
*Just saying - when I was a sophomore, I went through the same dilemma about band, so I understand how you feel. I ended up sticking with it b/c I had felt like I had nothing else - but band was usually the low point of my day. I always wondered what it would’ve been like if I quit band at sophomore year, there were other classes that I was interested in doing, like art classes. Sometimes you realize things later on, and that’s fine.
Look to see if there is an youth orchestra outside of school that you can join. It will still be a valuable EC, you can still play your instrument, and you can fit the AP class you prefer. If your schedule gets busy, you can skip a practice or two without getting dinged on your grades.
I think you should emphasize that you’re dropping orchestra in favor of science electives that you actually want to take - and not for the sake of fluffing up your transcript.
You should also mention that you aren’t getting anything out of it and you could benefit more from these science classes that interest you.
If she’s bothered about Tri-M - let her know that quitting Tri-M won’t kill your resume. Although it’s nice to have, I don’t see it as being a tipping factor unless you held a leadership position within it. Tell her that you’ll still pursue piano (and maybe violin, if you plan on doing so) outside of school, so you’ll still have ECs.
Sorry that these are basic suggestions, but these should be brought up. Good luck!
@Zinhead thanks for the suggestion, but I don’t think I’m good enough
@noemii well, I think that’s part of the problem. As a sophomore, I can’t get a leadership position, but she wants me to apply for next year. I don’t know if I will get it or not, as I have to make resume, get a lor and get interviewed, but if I stick with it, it’s definitely a possibility. I honestly don’t know if it’s worth blowing off such an opportunity without trying
@Benny123123 - Our local youth orchestra is desperate for players, and the kids enjoy playing in a low stress environment. You never know until you ask.
Your mom should be supporting your decision to drop orchestra to take some classes that will have more benefits… Why is she deciding your classes? I got my parents opinion, but ultimately your capability may be different from your moms. My mom is first to say I should take 10 APs and go for a full ride, as she doesn’t look at it from my view. Just tell her to think about your shoes, you should enjoy your classes (having to work hard is completely different though).
Sorry if it came off as me “blowing off” Tri-M (I’m in Tri-M, myself), but this part confuses me. You seem pretty adamant about quitting orchestra, UNLESS you hold a leadership position in Tri-M. If you decide to stick with orchestra, then yes - of course you should try out for whatever leadership position you’re thinking of. But you have to consider what happens if you don’t get this leadership position - what if the position goes to a senior? Will you quit orchestra midway next year? At this point, it’s all on you