Should I be in marching band while applying next year?

[ksmi117]

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So here's the dealio. I've been on my college's colorguard for the past 3 years. And it's fun and such... I absolutely love performing in Tiger Stadium every week - unless you've been out there, you have no idea the feeling it gives you - plus free trips and admission and getting paid are awesome, but I can't decide whether or not I should do it next year for quite a few reasons.

1. It's a lot of time - easily 30+ hours on a game week. In the past this has been the source of much stress, but I am giving up my other time commitment, so it wouldn't be as bad. Oh and the captain... I don't like her much. But we've gotten along better this past year.

2. Research/Thesis. My research has not been a priority because of other EC's but I am doing a thesis this year to graduate with Honors. Although, I have my schedule worked out that I don't have class on Tuesday/Thursday. So I could do it then, I suppose.

3. Interviews. I know I need to be able to travel. I know I could miss a football game here and there, but I don't want to miss too many. I want being on colorguard to be worth it. And if I'm gone a lor from practice, I'll have to play catch up.

4. Normalness. Let's face it. LSU football is amazing. I would never get another chance to be a LSU student in the student section. Maybe I could get a student ticket in the future, but it wouldn't be the same. All my friends are graduating with me, too. So they wouldn't be there later. Although, I think it'd be awkward. I'd want to be on the field or with the band doing the choreographed routines that the colorguard does, not the student section stuff.

Also, all the girls who were on my high school colorguard as freshmen are joining LSU's colorguard next year. And I miss them. But I could still support them by going to see practice on Saturday mornings and such. I wouldn't disappear.

I'm really at a loss here. Would it interfere with the med school/research stuff too much? Should I be a relatively normal kid for a semester? Thanks!!

 

[URHere]

Honestly, I think that point number three is the one most worth considering. When you apply to medical school, you will have to take days out of your normal life to go and travel and you need to decide how much that would impact the rest of your group. Maybe you should talk to the captain and/or your faculty sponsor to get some idea of how much your absence would hurt the group during interview season.

Other than that, it sounds to me like color guard is something that you really enjoy and you probably won't get the chance to take part in it again once you graduate. If you want to do it, you will find time to make your applications and your research work. You won't regret being a bit busy for a year, but do you think you would regret it if you decide to leave the team? If the answer to that question is yes and your team can work without you for a few games, then you should stay - you'll make everything else work

 

[ncguy2005]

So here's the dealio. I've been on my college's colorguard for the past 3 years. And it's fun and such... I absolutely love performing in Tiger Stadium every week - unless you've been out there, you have no idea the feeling it gives you - plus free trips and admission and getting paid are awesome, but I can't decide whether or not I should do it next year for quite a few reasons.

1. It's a lot of time - easily 30+ hours on a game week. In the past this has been the source of much stress, but I am giving up my other time commitment, so it wouldn't be as bad. Oh and the captain... I don't like her much. But we've gotten along better this past year.

2. Research/Thesis. My research has not been a priority because of other EC's but I am doing a thesis this year to graduate with Honors. Although, I have my schedule worked out that I don't have class on Tuesday/Thursday. So I could do it then, I suppose.

3. Interviews. I know I need to be able to travel. I know I could miss a football game here and there, but I don't want to miss too many. I want being on colorguard to be worth it. And if I'm gone a lor from practice, I'll have to play catch up.

4. Normalness. Let's face it. LSU football is amazing. I would never get another chance to be a LSU student in the student section. Maybe I could get a student ticket in the future, but it wouldn't be the same. All my friends are graduating with me, too. So they wouldn't be there later. Although, I think it'd be awkward. I'd want to be on the field or with the band doing the choreographed routines that the colorguard does, not the student section stuff.

Also, all the girls who were on my high school colorguard as freshmen are joining LSU's colorguard next year. And I miss them. But I could still support them by going to see practice on Saturday mornings and such. I wouldn't disappear.

I'm really at a loss here. Would it interfere with the med school/research stuff too much? Should I be a relatively normal kid for a semester? Thanks!!

I say do it -- for one thing being involved in something that demands a lot of time shows that you can manage your time.

Also, I think you wouldn't miss many football games going to interviews. The three schools that I interviewed at allowed me to call and pick a day that was best for me to go there. So, just know when you can and can't do something and you'll be fine.

I know how demanding music rehearsals can be (I'm a music major), but the rewards you gain from your hard work are something that are invaluable.

 

[ksmi117]

Honestly, I think that point number three is the one most worth considering. When you apply to medical school, you will have to take days out of your normal life to go and travel and you need to decide how much that would impact the rest of your group. Maybe you should talk to the captain and/or your faculty sponsor to get some idea of how much your absence would hurt the group during interview season.

Other than that, it sounds to me like color guard is something that you really enjoy and you probably won't get the chance to take part in it again once you graduate. If you want to do it, you will find time to make your applications and your research work. You won't regret being a bit busy for a year, but do you think you would regret it if you decide to leave the team? If the answer to that question is yes and your team can work without you for a few games, then you should stay - you'll make everything else work

Well, I already talked to the band director about it, and she said that they've had people apply before. But idk if they just applied to LSU schools or what, ya know? I mean I don't want to seem cocky, but I expect to have at least some interviews in the fall... idk. As far as the team, it wouldn't be a huge deal if I had to miss, we have alternates for basically every performance. One of them could easily take my place. People have missed before. And as far as causing annoyances with me not always knowing the routines or missing practice, I catch on pretty fast.

The question to me is... I put in all these practice hours while in Baton Rouge, is it worth it if I'm gone for the games? That's the whole point of doing it anyway.

Oh, and I just want to clarify, me doing this or not does not depend on what adcoms will think at all. I have enough of EC's to cover the dedication thing. This is solely a "do you think I'd be able to handle doing it and applying/research at the same time?" I mean this past fall I did it with RHA, also easily 30+ hours a week. I'm dropping that, and taking less class.

I'm you can't tell, I'm leading towards doing it again. But 24 hours ago I was set on not setting foot on that field again. I change my mind too much. *sigh*

 

[NickNaylor]

First, a little background: I'm a huge marching band guy and really wanted to march DCI but aged out before I had a summer to do so. I didn't do marching band in college because our marching band sucks, but I'm still a huge fan. I can relate to what you're talking about.

With that said, though, I think you should probably cut ties with it. You definitely want to make sure that the application process is your first priority. It'd be one thing if you were going to continue doing it in med school (which I'm assuming you're not). But between spending hours at rehearsal and not getting to march at games and paying for fees (I'm assuming you have some kind of band fee?), I don't think it would be worth it.

It'll definitely be hard, especially if you have a love for it, but ultimately becoming a doctor should be your primary focus, especially when you're trying to get into top-tier schools.

Best of luck!

EDIT: I don't think doing another semester of marching band would have any impact on your application. I don't see why it would help. If you think you have the time to do it, then definitely go for it. But since it seems like time constraints are a concern, it would be helpful to free up all of that time.

 

[ksmi117]

First, a little background: I'm a huge marching band guy and really wanted to march DCI but aged out before I had a summer to do so. I didn't do marching band in college because our marching band sucks, but I'm still a huge fan. I can relate to what you're talking about.

With that said, though, I think you should probably cut ties with it. You definitely want to make sure that the application process is your first priority. It'd be one thing if you were going to continue doing it in med school (which I'm assuming you're not). But between spending hours at rehearsal and not getting to march at games and paying for fees (I'm assuming you have some kind of band fee?), I don't think it would be worth it.

It'll definitely be hard, especially if you have a love for it, but ultimately becoming a doctor should be your primary focus, especially when you're trying to get into top-tier schools.

Best of luck!

EDIT: I don't think doing another semester of marching band would have any impact on your application. I don't see why it would help. If you think you have the time to do it, then definitely go for it. But since it seems like time constraints are a concern, it would be helpful to free up all of that time.

We actually get paid to do it, $1000 for the semester, not great but better than nothing. The athletic department pays for EVERYTHING else... including food on game days. The only thing I have to buy is dance shoes, but I won't need new ones... haha

And thanks for the response. Your logic is exactly the reason I was so set on not doing it. I know either way I should be fine, but I just don't know what's best for me.

 

[NickNaylor]

Actually, I revise my previous comments. I just looked at your MDApps and... WOW. I think you have very little to worry about. All of your info is pretty incredible. Formula for success:

Strong app + get paid for doing it + you like it = have fun for the semester and do it

 

[ksmi117]

So, I just looked up the weekends I won't have band... the weekends before and including Sept 5, Sept 26, Oct 3, Oct 17, Nov 7, Nov 21, and after Nov 28 I'd be done, unless we go to the SEC Championship Game... though I would be going on an away trip on one of these open days... I'd suspect Nov. 21 (Ole Miss) or Sept. 26 (Miss State). So, I'd be able to miss a home game or two if need be, but I'd want to avoid that. I'm not sure what I'm getting at. I mean if a med school gives me an interview date, can I change it to one of these weekends? I mean I don't want to put of my interviews, because that'd be stupid, but would they be willing to work with me to find a good date?

 

[quiltlady]

Interviews are usually not on weekends. It is school you will be missing, not the game.

 

[ksmi117]

Interviews are usually not on weekends. It is school you will be missing, not the game.

Oh I thought they were generally Fridays. In which case, I don't know if I'd be back in time for the games and practice stuff before. If they are in the middle of the week, then I guess I don't need to worry much, besides missing a lot of practice.

 

[Poe350]

This is completely irrelevant, but it's nice to see someone else from LSU here! I'm sitting I'm Annie Boyd typing this right now! 😀

 

[qmcat]

I think it's always good to have something going on that you're really passionate about. It keeps you going when you're down, especially when/if you're getting rejections from med schools and stuff. Of course, prioritize your activities. Applying and schoolwork should come first. Research... depending on if it's necessary for you to graduate is also important. If you're going to be a senior, you can probably slack off in classes a bit and just do enough to graduate (since you have a 4.0 GPA already anyway).

If you can manage doing marching band, I would say absolutely go for it. In my situation, I applied during senior year and was doing research also (not for a thesis or to graduate... just for $$). I ended up doing Opera this year, since it was something that I've always wanted to do. I remember during auditions, the director handed out the "green sheet" with a bunch of expectations and rehearsal dates we were supposed to make. I thought about dropping out, and when I told him that I had to be flying around for interviews, he understood and worked out rehearsals because he really wanted me to play this certain character part. It ended up being one of the best things I've ever done in college, and I don't regret it at all even though it kept me super-busy throughout the year.

Anyway, I probably rambled and given you more info than you needed to know haha.

 

[WaterBird]

Oh I thought they were generally Fridays. In which case, I don't know if I'd be back in time for the games and practice stuff before. If they are in the middle of the week, then I guess I don't need to worry much, besides missing a lot of practice.

Nope. I tried to schedule most of mine for Monday or Friday for travel reasons, but I had interviews every day of the week (and many of them were re-scheduled to fit with my work schedule). If you look at the admissions FAQ for the schools to which you are applying, most will say the days of the week that they interview (or that should be in the collective knowledge of SDN) which might help you make your decision.

I believe you will be able to make time for it if you want, but it sounds to me like you are asking for permission to cut it so you can be a "normal student" for a semester. You are hesitating because it's an activity that you love, but you really want a break before med-school, which is okay 👍

 

[funkydrmonkey]

I say go for it. You do not wanna leave undergrad with any regrets, and plus, you can always schedule your interviews, or ask for different days, and I think schools will be conducive to letting you pick another day. Good luck!

 

[ksmi117]

This is completely irrelevant, but it's nice to see someone else from LSU here! I'm sitting I'm Annie Boyd typing this right now! 😀

Woo LSU!! And living on campus!!! You're my new favorite person on SDN!

Nope. I tried to schedule most of mine for Monday or Friday for travel reasons, but I had interviews every day of the week (and many of them were re-scheduled to fit with my work schedule). If you look at the admissions FAQ for the schools to which you are applying, most will say the days of the week that they interview (or that should be in the collective knowledge of SDN) which might help you make your decision.

I believe you will be able to make time for it if you want, but it sounds to me like you are asking for permission to cut it so you can be a "normal student" for a semester. You are hesitating because it's an activity that you love, but you really want a break before med-school, which is okay 👍

Yeah. It's like I haven't been to a football game as a student since ever. Did colorguard in high school too. I hear it's fun, but being in the band and marching on the field is truly amazing. It is a lot of practice time though. My sophomore year I hated it because I didn't really have any close friends, but a girl from my high school joined this past year and 4 more are coming this year, so that won't be an issue. I don't know if I'm exactly looking for a break though. I'm going to do something to keep my busy regardless, it's just how I am. But should I do this or something that's a little more flexible? I don't plan on applying to that many schools... 10-12 probably. I mean I don't expect to get interviews at them all. And maybe, just maybe, I'll get in somewhere early on and not have to worry about more interviews.

Oh, and on top of it all, while I know how other people think about it shouldn't matter, my parents really want me to do it again. They go to all the games, even the away games I go to, and it's great to have them supporting me. I don't get that with the other stuff I do since they don't really understand all my other commitments.

I'm too indecisive for my own good...