Passions or Academics for Senior Year?Answered
I have a feeling that most college advisors would suggest I pile up academically rigorous courses for my senior year of high school, but I’ve filled nearly all the requirements to graduate and basic high school requirements for most public colleges at the end of my junior year.
I could graduate early, but I’m choosing to take another full year of high school in order to play in my school bands, but many of the other classes I want to take (some of the most advanced math and science classes offered) conflict in my schedule.
To make things worse, anytime I meet with my guidance counselor, it feels as though he’s pressuring me to make a near impossible decision instead of trying to help me find solutions.
Band is the most important to me at this time, but if I can’t sustain the academic rigor I’ve kept throughout my entire high school career at the same time, then it almost feels not worth it to do another year of high school when I could just graduate early and take time off.
What should I do?
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4 answers
You seem very passionate about band and your position in it, so I agree that you should prioritize that. As for deciding which classes to take, consider your future major and what classes will matter most for it. Maybe speak to someone in that field to see what you could choose, if your guidance counselor isn't helping you. Or even get in contact with colleges you're considering! You can do it--- you're clearly very smart. Good luck and enjoy your senior year :)
Hello. It is a really tough schedule you have there.
1. Keep one thing in mind: students at the most selective universities have managed both - their extracurriculars and their academics. And you can do it too.
Just filling up nearly all the requirements does not guarantee you an admission anywhere. You always have to be one step ahead. Try balancing out both the things. I'll tell you what. I am currently preparing for JEE (it's the toughest exam in India). In the side, I also have to manage ECs. I leave my house at 5:30 am in the morning, and come back home at 11:00pm at the night. And honestly, I don't mind the time clashes. Here's the second thing you should keep in mind.
2. Do what matters the most.
Prioritize what's more important (which you say is the band for you). Do your best there. Shine there. And then turn towards your academics.
Don't worry. It's easy. You can do it.
Hi! You could try seeing if any dual enrollment classes are still available for getting college credit at your local community college. If not, you could try to pursue a personal project in the direction of your major or try seeing if any other schools in your district have advanced classes that don't conflict with your schedule. Another idea is to see if any internships are still available for the major you're interested in to get more experience. Lastly, seeing that you have a passion for band, maybe see if you can get a leadership role like section leader/captain or something that stands out. Good luck!
If BAND is your spike activity, then I would extend that a much as possible because you probably want to attend a college that you can continue this with. And I imagine that there are not an infinite about of places available at all schools to be on marching band.
If you graduate early, you will short change to be a better "player" and may not have the solid grades, test scores and other academic narratives to get into your college of choice or your 2nd or 3rd choice.
These days as you may already know (or at least have some awareness of) college admissions are harder than they have ever been. So you actually have to have more to offer than less. Your application needs to complete, robust and impressive if you want to go to good colleges. I don't recommend leaving High School earlier than you need to because all the extra things you can do during your senior year will serve you better when you apply to college.
One thing I would suggest is that you take a math or STEM class this summer by enrolling into your community college or an online program like Outlier.org. This will give your transcript a boost and help your academic narrative.
Good luck.
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Thanks for your comment and encouragement, but it’s not a problem finding time for it. These are all classes offered by my school and conflict in my class schedule. All of these classes only have 1 class that all happen at the same time, and some classes aren’t offered online, so I’m having to make a choice of which class to take during the school day. Do you have any advice for that scenario?