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Should I do early college or marching band?
I previously asked a question about time management but that's impossible now. Though I thought I had to interview for early college the principal let me straight in because of my exceptional test scores no interview needed. I was reading the acceptance form and it said students who do early college will not be able to do marching band at all. So now I'm choosing between those two and I don't know what to do. I got accepted into AVID and I submitted a dual enrollment interest application but people are saying its not the same as early college.
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Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Emily !
Do not underestimate your choice ! Dual Enrollment is much better than Early College. I think you're doing the right thing. I would be happy to share my perspective with you. Education, quality education, is very important as your foundation for your future.
Well, in your school district, Early College is the same thing as Dual Enrollment. Early college usually means you do not go to 11th and 12th grade, you go to college and obtain an Associates Degree, sometimes also receiving a High School Diploma (when not attending 11th and 12th grade) and sometimes the student just gets the Associates Degree. Your school district doesn't do it this way, however.
The Los Angeles City School District lays out their Early College Program and their Dual Enrollment Program as looking very similar if not exact. Their Early College program consists of taking your general education requirements while you're in high school. Dual Enrollment means that you can take a college course or two while still attending 11th and 12th grade in high school. You won't get an Associates Degree from Dual Enrollment, just the opportunity to get a few general ed courses under your belt, which is helpful. The way your district has Early College set up, it's also not something you'd get an Associates Degree for.
The courses for Early College are given by East Los Angeles College and are held at Alhambra High School, Mark Keppel High School, and San Gabriel High School. You need to ascertain a couple of things for this program before deciding - do you really want your courses from East Los Angeles City College, and are you enrolled in one of the high schools mentioned ? After high school, if you do either program, you may be obligated to continue at that college and it may not have your major or you may decide to go to a university and have to hope the courses you took at that college will transfer. Also, with L.A.'s early college, do you go full time and bypass 11th and 12th grade or do they mean you can take one or two college courses while still having 11th and 12th grade. This is something you need to ask administration so you can make a choice. Their early college does not provide an Associates Degree like most of other Early College programs do. I would just do the dual enrollment which is a good introduction to college level courses.
Marching Band is so awesome and you should have that experience if you really love it. You have two choices, in my estimation that will allow you to keep marching band as a plan. Either just stick with regular high school which is absolutely perfectly fine to do or do the dual enrollment and just take one or two courses at the college in 11th and 12th grade. Regular High School is always great, but you should ask yourself if you want to start college at a university fresh and new, or do you want to go to East Los Angeles College for an Associates Degree? or will the units (of credit) transfer over to whatever college you want to go to after high school.
It's not clear that your city's Early College means you do not go to 11th and 12th grade and take every general ed course there is, or if you just take one or two while still staying in high school. Since this is intricate, you'll have to ask the people who are setting up these programs, but my advice is that you have much to gain by sticking with regular 11th and 12th grade during which you can be in marching band.
It's great that you do exceptionally well in high school, but your high school years are to be enjoyed and there's going to be plenty of time to be a college student and excel there too. You need to start at a college you choose, that has your major and I think you will have no problem adapting as a full time college student after graduation from high school. So go over this information with the program staff and focus on what you really want to commit to. I know marching band is important to you and I believe that you should have that opportunity.
I hope this helps a bit and I wish you all the best ! Return here if you need more advice !
Do not underestimate your choice ! Dual Enrollment is much better than Early College. I think you're doing the right thing. I would be happy to share my perspective with you. Education, quality education, is very important as your foundation for your future.
Well, in your school district, Early College is the same thing as Dual Enrollment. Early college usually means you do not go to 11th and 12th grade, you go to college and obtain an Associates Degree, sometimes also receiving a High School Diploma (when not attending 11th and 12th grade) and sometimes the student just gets the Associates Degree. Your school district doesn't do it this way, however.
The Los Angeles City School District lays out their Early College Program and their Dual Enrollment Program as looking very similar if not exact. Their Early College program consists of taking your general education requirements while you're in high school. Dual Enrollment means that you can take a college course or two while still attending 11th and 12th grade in high school. You won't get an Associates Degree from Dual Enrollment, just the opportunity to get a few general ed courses under your belt, which is helpful. The way your district has Early College set up, it's also not something you'd get an Associates Degree for.
The courses for Early College are given by East Los Angeles College and are held at Alhambra High School, Mark Keppel High School, and San Gabriel High School. You need to ascertain a couple of things for this program before deciding - do you really want your courses from East Los Angeles City College, and are you enrolled in one of the high schools mentioned ? After high school, if you do either program, you may be obligated to continue at that college and it may not have your major or you may decide to go to a university and have to hope the courses you took at that college will transfer. Also, with L.A.'s early college, do you go full time and bypass 11th and 12th grade or do they mean you can take one or two college courses while still having 11th and 12th grade. This is something you need to ask administration so you can make a choice. Their early college does not provide an Associates Degree like most of other Early College programs do. I would just do the dual enrollment which is a good introduction to college level courses.
Marching Band is so awesome and you should have that experience if you really love it. You have two choices, in my estimation that will allow you to keep marching band as a plan. Either just stick with regular high school which is absolutely perfectly fine to do or do the dual enrollment and just take one or two courses at the college in 11th and 12th grade. Regular High School is always great, but you should ask yourself if you want to start college at a university fresh and new, or do you want to go to East Los Angeles College for an Associates Degree? or will the units (of credit) transfer over to whatever college you want to go to after high school.
It's not clear that your city's Early College means you do not go to 11th and 12th grade and take every general ed course there is, or if you just take one or two while still staying in high school. Since this is intricate, you'll have to ask the people who are setting up these programs, but my advice is that you have much to gain by sticking with regular 11th and 12th grade during which you can be in marching band.
It's great that you do exceptionally well in high school, but your high school years are to be enjoyed and there's going to be plenty of time to be a college student and excel there too. You need to start at a college you choose, that has your major and I think you will have no problem adapting as a full time college student after graduation from high school. So go over this information with the program staff and focus on what you really want to commit to. I know marching band is important to you and I believe that you should have that opportunity.
I hope this helps a bit and I wish you all the best ! Return here if you need more advice !
Updated
Disraeli’s Answer
Hello Emily,
Early college and dual enrollment are similar programs with the same goal, getting you college credit early. Early college is a more structured program that will be on your highschool schedule and may involve you being in a classroom or computer lab on a set schedule. This is probably why they don't allow you to be in both early college and marching band, your time is already booked! If you feel like early college is what you want to do, ask how you can adjust your schedule. Does your school offer "early bird" or other classes outside of normal school times? Can you join late practices and performances for marching band out of class time during the school day? You already have a relationship with the principal, so they may be willing to grant you an exception to the rules.
On the other hand, you also have the option of dual enrollment instead of early college. Dual enrollment is a more flexible program that will require you to take more responsibility for your education. You will need to turn in the proper forms to the proper administrators at the proper times to be eligible to enroll. However, you will get to choose which college classes and class sections (online or in-person, the professor, and the time) which may fit your goals better.
I did dual enrollment and marching band all four years of highschool and it kept me busy! I was able to pick online classes that I worked on outside of school for my freshman and sophomore years, mostly on the weekends. Then in my junior and senior years, I was ahead of high school credits enough that I was given a daily free hour in the computer lab. This allowed me to start on the accounting college curriculum, an option that was not offered to my classmates doing early college, who were only offered general education-type classes. There is nothing wrong with either choice, but I valued my flexibility even though there was more self-responsibility.
Either way, both of these programs are offered to you because you are such a good student and your family should be very proud. (You should remind them of this when they have to pay for the college books!)
Good luck with college!
Early college and dual enrollment are similar programs with the same goal, getting you college credit early. Early college is a more structured program that will be on your highschool schedule and may involve you being in a classroom or computer lab on a set schedule. This is probably why they don't allow you to be in both early college and marching band, your time is already booked! If you feel like early college is what you want to do, ask how you can adjust your schedule. Does your school offer "early bird" or other classes outside of normal school times? Can you join late practices and performances for marching band out of class time during the school day? You already have a relationship with the principal, so they may be willing to grant you an exception to the rules.
On the other hand, you also have the option of dual enrollment instead of early college. Dual enrollment is a more flexible program that will require you to take more responsibility for your education. You will need to turn in the proper forms to the proper administrators at the proper times to be eligible to enroll. However, you will get to choose which college classes and class sections (online or in-person, the professor, and the time) which may fit your goals better.
I did dual enrollment and marching band all four years of highschool and it kept me busy! I was able to pick online classes that I worked on outside of school for my freshman and sophomore years, mostly on the weekends. Then in my junior and senior years, I was ahead of high school credits enough that I was given a daily free hour in the computer lab. This allowed me to start on the accounting college curriculum, an option that was not offered to my classmates doing early college, who were only offered general education-type classes. There is nothing wrong with either choice, but I valued my flexibility even though there was more self-responsibility.
Either way, both of these programs are offered to you because you are such a good student and your family should be very proud. (You should remind them of this when they have to pay for the college books!)
Good luck with college!
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
Hi Emily,
I understand that deciding between early college and marching band can be challenging, but it depends on what you enjoy more. Early college is great if you are interested in earning college credits and tackling challenging academics early, which can save you time and money later. However, if you value the camaraderie, creativity, and experience of marching band, then continue with that. You also have AVID and dual enrollment as options to consider. Think about your future goals, what makes you happy, and how you want to spend your high school years!
I understand that deciding between early college and marching band can be challenging, but it depends on what you enjoy more. Early college is great if you are interested in earning college credits and tackling challenging academics early, which can save you time and money later. However, if you value the camaraderie, creativity, and experience of marching band, then continue with that. You also have AVID and dual enrollment as options to consider. Think about your future goals, what makes you happy, and how you want to spend your high school years!
Updated
Briana’s Answer
Hi Emily! Congratulations on getting into early college! That’s an amazing accomplishment, and you’ve worked so hard to achieve it. As you decide between early college and staying in high school to play in the marching band, think about what truly matters to you.
Consider the benefits of early college: getting ahead on general education courses, possibly saving money and time, and standing out in college applications. On the flip side, marching band can be a great extracurricular for applications, and it might bring you joy and a creative break from academics. Weigh the pros and cons of each path and focus on what aligns with your goals and passions.
Remember, you can also get ahead by taking community college courses. Look into evening, online, or weekend classes, or consider summer courses. This way, you can balance high school, marching band, and other activities while earning credits early. Plus, community college courses can help you explore different subjects and decide on a major.
Hope this helps! Best of luck with your decision!
Consider the benefits of early college: getting ahead on general education courses, possibly saving money and time, and standing out in college applications. On the flip side, marching band can be a great extracurricular for applications, and it might bring you joy and a creative break from academics. Weigh the pros and cons of each path and focus on what aligns with your goals and passions.
Remember, you can also get ahead by taking community college courses. Look into evening, online, or weekend classes, or consider summer courses. This way, you can balance high school, marching band, and other activities while earning credits early. Plus, community college courses can help you explore different subjects and decide on a major.
Hope this helps! Best of luck with your decision!
Updated
Rushabh’s Answer
Hello, Emily It sounds like you have two great options! Early college gives you a head start on college credits, which could save you time and money in the future. But it’s a big commitment and would prevent you from doing marching band. Marching band offers a fun, rewarding experience and could be a great way to bond with friends, but it might not help as much academically.
If your focus is on academics and getting ahead, early college might be the right choice. But if you’re passionate about music and the community of marching band, that’s a huge benefit for your high school experience.
Also, being in AVID and doing dual enrollment could offer a balance between academics and extracurriculars, so that’s worth considering too. Think about your priorities and what you’ll enjoy most!
If your focus is on academics and getting ahead, early college might be the right choice. But if you’re passionate about music and the community of marching band, that’s a huge benefit for your high school experience.
Also, being in AVID and doing dual enrollment could offer a balance between academics and extracurriculars, so that’s worth considering too. Think about your priorities and what you’ll enjoy most!
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Emily,
That decision is entirely up to you and your parents. Early college is a great way to earn college credits while you are still in high-school and looks good in your college applications. Academically, it's more valuable and will save you some money.
On the other hand, you are also allowed to have hobbies that bring you joy. Staying with your cohort in high-school and doing something fun sounds good, and maybe you are not yet ready to let it go. Colleges also appreciate well-rounded students who have interests outside of studying.
Is there some kind of compromise where you stay in high-school and do marching band but take a few college classes or take some advanced online classes in something interesting? If your goal is something science/engineering, programming languages for example would be a good addition.
All the best to you! You'll make the right choice for yourself.
KP
That decision is entirely up to you and your parents. Early college is a great way to earn college credits while you are still in high-school and looks good in your college applications. Academically, it's more valuable and will save you some money.
On the other hand, you are also allowed to have hobbies that bring you joy. Staying with your cohort in high-school and doing something fun sounds good, and maybe you are not yet ready to let it go. Colleges also appreciate well-rounded students who have interests outside of studying.
Is there some kind of compromise where you stay in high-school and do marching band but take a few college classes or take some advanced online classes in something interesting? If your goal is something science/engineering, programming languages for example would be a good addition.
All the best to you! You'll make the right choice for yourself.
KP