Answers to College Planning Questions Of The Week: Does Marching Band and taking business classes in high school help with college admissions?- by Justin M. Buffer, Cambridge Owner and Professional College Planner

Mr. Justin M. Buffer, Professional College Planner, Founder & Owner Cambridge Learning Center of New Jersey
Question # 1
(Marching Band and College Admissions)
Why might colleges look favorably on an applicant having been in the marching band in high school?
Mr. Buffer’s Answer Below:
Colleges may look favorably on applicants who have been in the marching band, or any other activity that requires dedication, because it shows that they have been committed to a challenging extracurricular activity and have likely developed important skills such as teamwork, discipline, and time management. Additionally, being in the marching band may also indicate that the student has a strong work ethic and is willing to put in the time and effort necessary to succeed in their endeavors. These are all qualities that can be valuable to a college and can make an applicant stand out in the admissions process. 
Question # 2 (Taking a Business Class in High School)
Someone told my son that taking a business class in high school can be beneficial. He has n plans, though, to major in business. Do you think there are some benefits to him taking one?
Mr. Buffer’s Answer Below:
Taking a business elective class in high school can be very beneficial, as can many other substantive classes that give real-world, applicable knowledge. Not only does a business class provide valuable knowledge and skills that can be useful in many different careers, but it can also give you a competitive edge when applying for college or jobs. In a business class, students learn about important concepts such as marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship, which can help them to understand how businesses operate and succeed. They will also have the opportunity to develop important skills such as communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking, which are valuable in any field. Last year, one of my students who was applying to college for engineering and who was admitted to Carnegie Mellon, a top engineering school, discussed one of the group presentation projects he did in his business class in his admissions essays.  So, taking a business class, or any other class that helps students broaden their perspective, even if not related to their future college study track, can be incredibly beneficial for a variety of reasons.
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We hope you found these answers from Mr. Buffer helpful!