Which is better?

[mom3boys]

A question for an FFR: This summer, my son is participating in a short term foreign exchange and will miss weekly summer band practices. He has his final interview for our state's Governor's Honors Program (a 3 week intense college experience for rising seniors, very competitive). If he is selected for GHP, he will miss the rest of the summer practices and the first week of band camp. We had assumed he'd be section leader, but if he's going to miss all this camp, he likely won't be. For his application fro c/o 2018, is it better to be accepted to something prestigious like GHP or to be section leader for band? Or does it even matter?

 

[GoArmyBeatNavy]

A question for an FFR: This summer, my son is participating in a short term foreign exchange and will miss weekly summer band practices. He has his final interview for our state's Governor's Honors Program (a 3 week intense college experience for rising seniors, very competitive). If he is selected for GHP, he will miss the rest of the summer practices and the first week of band camp. We had assumed he'd be section leader, but if he's going to miss all this camp, he likely won't be. For his application fro c/o 2018, is it better to be accepted to something prestigious like GHP or to be section leader for band? Or does it even matter?

What other leadership/sports activities does he have besides band? I am a former GA GHPer myself. From what I understand, though, my having been a Varsity Team Captain and Letterwinner and Class President were more important to my West Point application than my participation in GHP. Is there a chance your son will go to Boy's State?

In my day, Boys State conflicted with GHP.

 

[scoutpilot]

A question for an FFR: This summer, my son is participating in a short term foreign exchange and will miss weekly summer band practices. He has his final interview for our state's Governor's Honors Program (a 3 week intense college experience for rising seniors, very competitive). If he is selected for GHP, he will miss the rest of the summer practices and the first week of band camp. We had assumed he'd be section leader, but if he's going to miss all this camp, he likely won't be. For his application fro c/o 2018, is it better to be accepted to something prestigious like GHP or to be section leader for band? Or does it even matter?

GHP.

 

[BigNick]

No question - GHP

 

[mom3boys]

If he is selected for GHP, he leaves right after school is out for Germany, returns, is home one day, then reports for GHP. GHP ends and he is immediately at the last week of band camp, then school starts (we're in GA where school starts early)...so no Boys State. Leadership=eagle scout. This is more of a long shot than my 2012 grad...much more, as this one does band 9 months of the year...regular marching band then indoor drumline competition. He does not play a varsity sport. He is hoping a high SAT score will help his file in that shortage area. Time will tell. Thanks for the input.

 

[stella]

Band Issue

If he has his Eagle Scout, then I would not give up the Gov. program for band section lead. HE might hate to miss the opportunity to do section lead, but from what we can gather band is just another extra. to the academies...not a sport or a 'big deal' in the grand scheme of things. While section lead would offer leadership, he has that with his Eagle and he will still be in band and have it as an extra curr.

A student at my son's school dropped marching band fully to focus on Cross Country and took some high level math elective rather than band even as a class. He has his Eagle and so it was a decision to stregthen his sports and academic competitve classes and let band go...all in an effort to get to USMA. Last I heard, he has his nomination.

S