How can I maintain a 4.0 high school GPA?

Choice between school band and higher GPA/sanity?

• Hi. I'm a current sophomore, going into junior year, in a school band. I'm trying to decide if staying in is worth it or not. I'm a clarinet player, somewhat decent (I'm in a 1st band, and I made mid-level region band), but nothing special. I love orchestral and "wind ensemble" music, but I've got some issues with the band. My directors are horribly egotistical, rude, and have an insane superiority complex. They have favorites, and I'm not among them. I'm fairly sure, in fact, that they dislike me. They are also incredibly inconsistent scheduling wise, creating ad hoc rehearsals the week, and sometimes the day of the rehearsal, giving me almost absolutely no time to plan. They also grade band incredibly hard, to the point where it's hard to maintain an A in band. It's incredibly unfair, and it's crushing my class rank because it isn't weighted. I've got really, really good academics and whatnot. I'm looking at my Eagle Scout, NHS, and some other assorted extracurriculers (I've been in scouts for over 5 years, and plan on continuing until college). I'd like to get into a nationally acclaimed college. I don't know what would hurt me more - the effect band is having on my GPA, or the way it would look if I quit half-way through high school, but with a much higher GPA and class rank(potentially top 10 people, top 2% if I quit - top 4% maybe otherwise). As a sidenote, most of my section is quitting because they despise the directors, much like me, next year. I'm fairly certain that I would be on leadership if I stayed, but I've already got leadership credentials through other organizations. It's a choice between horrible directors and a lower GPA and class rank, or quitting band, leaving an activity half-way through high school, but with a higher GPA, class rank, and more AP test scores. P.E. and Fine Arts credits aren't a concern at this point in time. Help?

• Answer:

  What I would do in your situation is quit. There is really no point to staying. It would actually hurt your chances to stay. It's fine to quit. If playing the clarinet is something you really enjoy most communites have community bands, orchestras and ensembles. Maybe you should look into one of those instead of the school band. Or do what I did and go to an outside teacher and get private lessons. All those things can still go on college applications and look really good.