GoBlue81

Perhaps you will find the answer here:
Study Hacks Blog Archive Want to Get into Harvard? Spend More Time Staring at the Clouds: Rethinking the Role of Extracurricular Activities in College Admissions

hornet

The sad thing is, neither of these accomplishments is spectacular. Most really good musicians don't bother with allstate orchestras (I say this as a parent of musician children-its nice but it doesn't wow folks like winning a scholarship to a festival, winning a concerto competition or playing in a highly regarded youth symphony) and the debate doesn't get impressive until one reaches national levels. Both are "starting point" accomplishments that can be built upon with work and passion in a given area.

I suggest that the child focus on what brings him the most satisfaction. Allstate orchestras are a lot of fun but no sign of who the really great musicians are. If he prefers the other activity, build on it. One is not "better" than the other. Both offer opportunities for the child to explore interests.

Maxwellequations

I'm surprised at hornet's comment. To me and most others, someone who gets in all state orchestra is really spectacular.

JimboSteve

GoBlue81, that's an amazing link.

hornet

Hi Maxwell,
My comments are based on personal experience and being around youth orchestras. The directors of the youth symphonies saw allstate as fun and not challenging musically. Two were annoyed when kids missed practice to go to these things. Allstates are a great starting point but, at least in my state, are not a good measure of a musician. There are usually a lots of kids lined up in halls and playing before juries for less than five minutes. Very different from the 15+ minutes one does for a festival or college. When my kids were auditioning for colleges (granted these were schools with strong music departments), the faculty showed no interest in allstate. They talked festivals and who the kid has studied under. In our local youth symphony, it was rare for the top players to do allstate past 9th-10th grade (however my son continued to do it simply because he enjoyed the weekend out of town and hanging out with kids from other high schools).

I do not devalue to purpose of allstate but in the context of the music world, it seems fairly small (but certainly worth doing as it is a great introduction to auditions and a nice way to meet other people who enjoy music).

UDUBHUSKIES

state orchestra. academically, the grades will speak for themselves.

fritzitty

@hornet:
What state are you from?

And I think that your child should go with whatever he/she'll enjoy more, because they'd probably look equally good to colleges if anything. All-state Orchestra would look good if your child was looking more into music, but you can't really focus Academic Team in anything, it's just sort of a standalone considering that it's quizzing in several fields. (Personally I'd choose All States, but I'm a bit biased here.)

Nihility

The fact that you are attempting to choose which one to attend based on which one "looks better" is utterly frightening. I can't imagine a more irrelevant factor in determining which activity your child wants to pursue. Good golly this is just craziness.

ybmtl4

I have been in a similar situation and in my personal opinion it'd be better to do the academic team state. While I'm sure you're son is a fantastic musician, there is no guarantee he'll make the orchestra. Whereas the academic team is already at state. But as long as he does what he loves it'll make no difference to admissions. They like to see that you have a passion- for whatever it is he chooses to do.

herandhisMom

I'd say, if it is just at the audition stage, do the academic team, because getting into the orchestra is extremely difficult. He may not get in as ybmtl said. But if he gets in, in other words, if it's a matter of going to the all state concert as a performer or academic team, definitely orchestra because it's a great individual achievement and a great experience.

dadx

As long as the orchestra practice or concerts are not in conflict with the academic team contest, why not inquire as to whether you could submit a youtube type file with some scales, pieces, or other exercises which might demonstrate the level of expertise.

There are some who wouldn't accept it out of small-minded rigidity, or "fairness", but there are others who are looking for the best players for the orchestra and would consider that approach, I believe.

It might even be safer, if you decide to do the academic thing, just to submit something directly via mail or email without inquiring in advance whether it would be looked at. That way you don't have to have the judges agree to make an exception in advance. They just have to decide whether to look at the tape or not, and then whether they want you on the stage. If you don't hear from them, you're not in A nicely worded cover letter would probably be appropriate to explain your inability to attend the audition in person. And it probably needs to arrive in advance of the audition to have any chance of success.

djc007

Fairly sad that the decision is being posed in the context of a nameless, faceless admissions committee and what "(faceless) they" would like rather than as an adult decision (with consequences)by a young adult.

When my son was in 8th grade, he gave up the option to attend All-State Chorus, something he worked hard for and really enjoyed, because it was the Bar Mitzvah of his very good friend. I told him that it was his decision, and he opted for his friend. He was not allowed to participate the next year, a consequence that he accepted as part of his decision. At no point did we ever consider "what would the ad com do?" I was very proud of his decision.

Chesviolin

As a violinist and member of the virginia all state orchestra, college admissions officers will be thrilled to see that your child has assumed the highest level of musicality. I know that is one of the main reasons I am participating. colleges want to see passion and commitment.

SnowflakeVT

I just read the link GoBlue posted ... now I understand more why my son got into his reach with a B+ academic record. He reads voraciously in every spare moment he has, and surfs the internet to further read research on the topics that grab him. As a result, his interview ended up talking about an African tribe in which the interviewer had spent some time as part of a work study. Apparently my son and her discussed details about this African tribe that no mere mortal would know. Reach smeach ... he even received merit aid after applying ED. When he was getting B's in HS, his teachers would tell me, "dont' worry about him, he's going to be fine ... I assure you." I think a student's natural curiosity and interestingness permeates them in many places, not just the college application.

ZepHead

You seem to be right, but as it is nearly impossible for admission officers to identify what the student really enjoys, it is clever to do things which you don't enjoy.