Easy question regarding high school class selection and ivies down the road!

Colleges & Universities Harvard University
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<p>My son just started high school…is an exemplary student (so far anyway) and hopes that after the long 4 year haul he might be in a position to at least give one of the ivies a shot by applying…he is currently in the following classes:</p>

<p>Language Arts 9</p>

<p>World History</p>

<p>Spanish 2</p>

<p>Vocal Jazz</p>

<p>Algebra 2</p>

<p>Intro to Physical Science</p>

<p>Vocal Jazz is a year long class and an audition-only class that is prestigious in our school…due to the Jazz Program having National acclaim. </p>

<p>He recently auditioned for the musical (which requires a class 2nd semester) and is excited to be a part of it, as it is also a nationally acclaimed program.</p>

<p>In order to be in both Vocal Jazz and the musical, he needs to drop a class that he has had 1st semester. We recently found out that 9th grade science is not required at all, it is simply suggested so that students do better on our state (required) testing. He was planning to drop science to do both electives for the second semester. In subsequent years, he would only be taking 1 elective per semester (either jazz or musical).</p>

<p>He currently has a 4.0 (again, so far!)…his counselor told him today that she felt colleges would frown upon him dropping 9th grade science for the two electives in music, even if only for one year. His long term plan is to do science up through AP Physics (the highest avail) and math to AP Calc (highest avail)…</p>

<p>Our older child pursued an auditioned performing arts degree and so i am very unfamiliar with traditional BA programs at the highest level. </p>

<p>I would love any veteran advice on whether skipping one semester of 9th grade science would make a big difference when it comes time for college admissions, given that he will still get to the same classes in the end.</p>

<p>Thanks much!</p>

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<p>I do not think that that will be a problem for your son. Colleges are always telling students to follow their passions, right? And while people can take that too far, becoming weak students in areas they don’t have a “passion” in, I think your son’s case is the one the colleges are targeting by saying that. He’s still planning to take competitive levels of science and math, which is very good for him. Sticking with the science at the expense of his passion, just because it’s what one does, is the sort of rule-following “follow your passion” is supposed to discourage, I think. I would make extra-sure he’s prepared for whatever science comes next, though, if there’s even a slight chance it will build on the semester he’s missing.</p>

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<p>If I were him, I would drop the science course at the school at take it online. I live in Florida so we have a online high school called flvs.net. You get high school credit, see if your state has a similar program.</p>

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<p>I really appreciate your responses! Thank you!</p>

<p>In regards to on-line classes, we don’t have them available in our state, though folks do take them through BYU…however we have heard that they are viewed negatively by colleges…not sure why. If anyone has any insight, i would love to hear.</p>

<p>thanks again</p>

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<p>Go for the passion now, especially if he can cover the 9th grade (bio in our system) science later (summer, CC, or take 2 sciences). Several of the sharpest engineers and scientists I know are also excellent musicians (one performs and records professionally as a side gig to maintain his sanity).</p>

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<p>Thank you all for your replies…really helpful!</p>