[truexskills]

ok, so my younger brother, who is currently in eighth grade is getting his electives in tomorrow..and yet he still hasn' figured anything out yet
i can't help him because my options were exactly what i wanted..

his top three choices no matter what are:
computer inputting-working with microsoft word/excelpowerpoitn and stuff but to me it looks kinda pointless/boring, and yet he says like half the grade is going for that.
business management-basic business stuff..bills/stock market/etc. and i think thats one of his things that is set in stone..he's jus tworired about the other two
band-he's been in band for 5 years..and we're watsted a lot of money teaching both me and my brother 5 instruments..although he's given up guitar after 1.5 years and taken up drums..and piano he's been playing 5 years and stopped considering he knows enough to support himself with piano..his main focus are clarinet/alto sax now..and he's been in the jazz band..but in high school even if he does take band, he intends on dropping it in sophmore year since he only gets one elective..and it doesn't really look all that good if you just do band for one year on your college applications..but we've used up so much money on his musical talents..so we don't know what to do (my mom and myself)..and wouldn't jazz band look good on applications as well? but in order to be in jazz band and try out for it, you need to be in normal band..so theres another dilemma..

im thinking take the computer inputting and business becuase both of those will teach you things you need..but band if you don't intend on taking it all 4 years, use the one elective one something else..

and just for a side option..theres another class about commercial art..where you use art as commericals...cd covers/advertising/etc. but that can lead to an A.P course..so thats the main reason..but he intends on taking A.Ps in math, history, english, world languages, science anyway..so idk..
(what he's interested in is a factor, but i think he's trying to choose his classes that will get him into an ivy league and an elite school/future, so please base your adivce on the fact that he's trying to get to a top notch school, even if it means giving ups ome of his hobbies)

please help

[chibifry]

If he wants to get into a top notch school, the kind of AP you take doesnt matter. What matters is how many AP classes you take and what grade you receive on those exams.

Jazz band? I know tons of people in band. It doesnt really stand out unless you play the oboe or you've performed at a famous place like Carnegie Hall in NYC. They only consider it true musical talent if you've played an instrument for at least 6 years.

[truexskills]

well, if he doesn't take band in high school, i think he will have..

6 years of sax
around 9 years of clarinet
5 years of drums
still 1.5 years of guitar
and 5 serious years..then 4 more casual playing years..

[supa'Wanki]

I don't think playing instruments out of high school isn't needed. or am I wrong? I mean, scholarships don't look at your past, but what you have accomplished your high school year.

My director in band forced me to switch from flute to tuba/sousaphone to trombone. I have to quit tennis now, because the jazz band is after school... sucks, atleast I'm going to get lettered this year.. i think.

well... he's only becoming a freshman, you should know what classes he should take, he can't take any AP or anything, so don't worry about that, don't push him his freshman year, I suppose his counselor has a 4 year plan? hint hint.

[kuku]

i took these in summer school.

waste of time if you do not plan to major in computer or computer science.

however, the basic knowledge of using Microsoft should be known to most teens these days.