here’s the deal CC.
I’m a current junior. I’ve been on the marching band/concert band since sophomore year. (This is the norm at my school, almost no freshman joins marching band since freshmen take beginning band). I HAAAATE being in band. The hours of practice are insanely long and go to 9 and 10 pm twice a week on school nights and the people on band and the people that assist with band…let’s not go there. Anyways, i’m just super unhappy. Band is also a class. This complicates things A LOT. I cannot take any other elective such as psychology, journalism, or even a study hall period next year because i have no space…because of band.
Band is not my only extra curricular as I have other that i’ve been in longer and will possibly have a leadership role in next year. I also wanted to try new things next year as I will be a senior. This includes crewing at my school’s plays which i have never been able to do because of band. But if staying in band means getting into my top choice (UCLA) and not looking like a quitter…i’m willing to stay.
Honestly, as a current senior I think you should find an extracurricular that you can enjoy and be passionate about. I joined a service organization during junior year, but I decided not to return to it during senior year because I didn’t feel like I could put my heart into it. I love journalism, and I’m currently the sports editor for my school’s paper. I also participate in student government and NHS b/c I enjoy it. My best advice is to find something that you love to do. Colleges supposedly like to see consistency and longevity in ECs, but they also like to see growth. Perhaps you can seek out a leadership position in a club or a volunteering opportunity? Best of luck, and keep working towards your goal!
Can you do just part of band? Is it possible to not be in marching band, but be in the symphonic band? One year I was able to be a woodwind in the orchestra, any opportunities there? Or in pit for the school musical? Or what about joining a community band? If you could do one of those options, you could still have your instrument as an EC.
@intparent that’s ultimately my dream. I don’t mind concert season which is second semester but again, it’s a class. I can’t join the class second semester because then it wouldn’t fit on my schedule. I suppose that is a conversation i will have to talk to my counselor about.
Does anyone have any stories of them quitting an EC and still ending up where they wanna go?
I think you should finish out your junior year and then find something else you like better during your senior year. It’s still an extra curricular that you participated in for 2 years. I don’t think that replacing this activity with another one during your senior year will hurt you. Being in band looks good but so do many other activities. On the application you can explain the reasoning for not doing band during your senior year. Of course don’t say you hated it but say that if you stayed in you couldn’t have explored psychology, journalism or whatever else it is that this might be stopping you from doing. Senior year is a great time to take special interest classes and see where your interests lie. If you can get that across on the application then it might even be a plus for you.
If you are absolutely miserable and don’t expect getting any awards AND have more EC you can invest more time and get better recognition, then just quit after junior year. Try to find a part time job. Many colleges and scholarships view job as the best EC.
I often wished the people who hated band would just quit. They broadcast resentment and annoyance whenever they walked into the room. You’d probably be doing yourself and your fellow students a favor by finding something that makes you happier.
Do you like music? If you didn’t have to do marching band, would you still want to play an instrument? If the answer is yes, maybe you can find another musical outlet. If the answer is no, do something else. Your college admissions are not going to hinge on 3 vs. 4 years of band.
Or you could write one of your college essays on why quitting band was a principled thing to do.
I understand how you feel, I love concert band, and last year I liked marching band, but I’m less enthused this year. Honestly, if you have it, just don’t do it. There’s no point. If you find an EC you really like, you can get accomplishments in it and that would be much better than sticking in band just to have an EC.
Yes my kid quit plenty of things and tried new things and she got into some top schools. It’s your life. You can’t go back and re-do high school. Do what you want to do and stop living a lie to please someone else, who may or may not even be pleased by that. Thousands of kids from band will be applying to your colleges. It’s not that impressive anyhow.
It sounds like you are done with band. Don’t continue it if you hate it. Plus, your college apps start in the fall and you will be stretched pretty thin trying to do football games and your college apps.
(You’ve already met your Performing and fine arts requirement for any of the UCs so you can quit.)
All three of my kids quit their music department after freshman year and got into most of their schools.
Do yourself a favor, be a happy senior, and take some time to find something you really want to do for your last year of high school.
