Does band count as extracurricular?

Yes, band is widely considered an extracurricular activity, especially for college applications, as it involves commitment and skill development outside of core academics, even if it's taken as a school elective, because performances, practices, and competitions often occur outside regular class time, demonstrating dedication, teamwork, and personal growth.

Is band an extracurricular activity?

Another excellent example of a Tier 4 extracurricular activity would be playing in the marching band or learning piano outside of school.

What qualifies as an extracurricular?

Extracurricular activities are anything you do outside of regular school classes that shows personal growth, commitment, and passion, including sports, arts, clubs (academic, interest-based), community service, hobbies (if structured, like starting a club), part-time jobs, and internships. They aren't just for fun; they demonstrate skills like leadership, teamwork, and time management, helping colleges see your non-academic strengths, but casual pastimes (like watching movies) don't count unless you make them structured.
 

Do colleges care if you do band?

Colleges generally look for students who demonstrate commitment and passion in their activities, regardless of the activity type. Your long-term involvement in band can stand out just as much as participation in sports or other extracurriculars.

What doesn't count as an extracurricular?

Examples: Doing your homework does not count as an extracurricular activity. Writing for a literary publication and competing in a science competition do count as extracurricular activities.

extracurricular activities that top colleges DO/DON'T want to see

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Why is Gen Z not going to college?

Gen Z is questioning college due to skyrocketing costs, overwhelming student debt, and a perceived poor return on investment (ROI), especially with AI changing jobs and stronger alternatives like skilled trades emerging, leading many to seek faster, cheaper paths to financial stability and job security. They've seen Millennials' debt struggles, witness online success stories, and value hands-on training over traditional degrees, making college less of a guaranteed ticket to success.
 

What is the #1 college marching band?

There's no single, official "#1" college marching band, but The Ohio State University Marching Band (OSUMB) is widely considered a top contender due to its massive size, innovative "animated" formations like Script Ohio, and huge popularity, often topping "most popular" lists. Other highly-regarded bands include the USC Trojan Marching Band, known for its unique "driving-it" style, and HBCU powerhouses like Southern University's Human Jukebox, which won ESPN's 2025 Band of the Year.
 

Is a 2.7 GPA bad for a senior?

A 2.7 GPA for a senior is considered below average (a B- average) and can limit options for selective colleges, but it's not "bad" in the sense that you're doomed; many colleges accept it, especially if offset by strong test scores, extracurriculars, or a compelling essay, with community college as a great pathway to start. Your senior year grades are crucial, as a strong finish can significantly improve your overall GPA and demonstrate growth to admissions officers. 

What is the youngest band ever?

Black Diamonds. Guinness World Records "Youngest Professional Rock Band" from Haverhill, MA, formed in 2009, they have been together for 9 years.

What are the most impressive extracurriculars?

10 Best Extracurriculars for College

• Leadership Positions.
• Part-Time Jobs.
• Internships.
• Passion Projects.
• Community Service.
• Sports and Athletics.
• Academic Clubs.
• Artistic and Creative Pursuits.

What are the four types of extracurriculars?

Extracurriculars typically fall into one of four categories, and each is evaluated differently.

• Highly Prestigious and Competitive.
• Significant Achievements and Leadership.
• Active Participation and Regional Impact.
• General Involvement.
• Extracurriculars Highlight the Impact You Will Make on Campus.

Is 7 activities enough for a Common App?

Yes, 7 activities is a strong number for the Common App; quality, impact, and deep commitment to fewer activities often beats listing 10 superficial ones, with many successful applicants getting into top schools with 5-7 meaningful activities that showcase genuine interests, leadership, and impact. While you can list up to 10, focusing on your most significant commitments, like a job, family responsibilities, sports, or hobbies with quantifiable achievements, makes a more compelling application than filler, say experts and successful students. 

Do band kids do better in school?

A study published by the American Psychological Association found that students who participated in music programs scored significantly higher in math, science, and English than those who did not (APA), suggesting that music education improves all-around academic achievement and helps students learn more holistically ...

Is a band considered athletic?

Almost every definition of a sport would agree that marching band is a sport, with Oxford Languages stating that a sport is “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.”

What are some Tier 1 extracurriculars?

Tier 1 extracurriculars are rare, high-impact activities showing exceptional talent or leadership, like winning national academic awards (USAMO), becoming a nationally ranked athlete, publishing significant research, starting a successful nonprofit, or securing a highly prestigious internship (e.g., Google Summer of Code). These activities demonstrate unique achievement and initiative, often involving national recognition or substantial, measurable impact. 

What GPA is top 1%?

A GPA in the top 1% usually means a near-perfect score, often a 4.0 on a 4.0 scale, or a very high weighted GPA (like 4.5+) if honors/AP classes are included, representing the highest distinction, Summa Cum Laude, for the top 1-5% of a graduating class, though specific thresholds vary by school and year.
 

Will Harvard accept a 2.5 GPA?

While it's technically possible to get into Harvard with a 2.5 GPA due to their holistic review, it's extremely improbable and requires truly exceptional, world-class achievements in other areas (like being a top recruited athlete, a Nobel laureate's child, or having massive family donations) to overcome such a low academic record. The average admitted student has a GPA near perfect (4.0+), and a 2.5 signals significant academic risk that most candidates can't compensate for, even with high test scores. 

How rare is a 4.0 GPA in college?

A 4.0 GPA in college is considered rare and highly impressive, placing a student in the top 2-10% nationally, as it signifies straight A's, which becomes increasingly difficult to maintain with challenging courses, differing grading scales (A vs. A-), and real-world responsibilities like jobs or extracurriculars. While grade inflation means more students achieve high GPAs, a perfect 4.0 remains a significant accomplishment, often requiring immense dedication.
 

Is marching band easy?

Of course, everything is relative, but we think marching band can be hard — a challenging kind of hard — and here's why. You have to do a lot of stuff at the same time! Playing your instrument is just one part of participating in the marching band.

Who won the band of the year in 2025?

Lost Tribe has been announced as the Large Band of the year 2025. This is their fourth win.

What do Gen Z use instead of 😂?

Gen Z uses the 💀 (Skull) emoji to mean "I'm dead" from laughter, the 😭 (Loudly Crying Face) for intense humor or emotion, and sometimes the 🤡 (Clown Face) for foolishness, while finding the 😂 emoji outdated or "cheugy," often preferring these more dramatic or layered expressions of extreme amusement. 

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, often defined by family income, tend to go to highly selective, elite universities like Dartmouth, Yale, Penn, Brown, Princeton, and Stanford, MIT, and Harvard, with some Ivy League schools having a higher concentration of these students than the bottom 60% of income earners. Rankings vary, but MIT, Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, and UC Berkeley consistently appear at the top for overall academic standing, attracting top talent across all income levels. 

Did Taylor Swift go to college?

No, Taylor Swift did not go to a traditional four-year college; she focused on her music career after starting high school, completing her education through homeschooling to accommodate her touring schedule, and she graduated high school early. She did receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from New York University (NYU) in 2022, where she also gave a commencement speech.