How to persuade parents?

Question

I am a high school student, and my school does a musical every spring (it's a pretty big deal). I have been in the pit orchestra my freshman and sophomore years, but this year I am a junior (3 APs). I know that fitting pit orchestra into my schedule is completely insane because three weeks before the show we have 10 hour/week rehearsals, and that comes almost right before AP exams. Also, my parents told me that they would not let me do pit orchestra unless my SAT score is very high. however, it was not, and they are REALLY mad about that. They spent like three hours yelling in my face, until I cried because my SAT score was not high enough. So my parents won't let me do pit, but I LOVE this orchestra--it is so much fun, and although it will add stress because of the amount of time it takes, I will be a lot happier if I join. What should I do to make my parents let me join pit orchestra?

Answer 1

Do you really think you can handle all that? I mean 3 AP classes and the rehearsals are right before the AP test...you should really think about what your performance will be on the test if you choose to be part of the orchestra since it will have an impact on how colleges look at you...if you still want to be part of the orchestra then tell your parents about how happy it makes you and how important it is for you...but you really shouldn't have taken all those AP classes if they weren't your priority

Answer 2

I am also a high school Junior, so I feel your pain. I am in a Dual Credit math class (where you get both high school and college credit) and my school does not have AP classes b/c it's so small. But here's my advice:

First, stress to your parents that this is YOUR life, not theirs. Being a Junior, I'm assuming that you're 16 or 17? That's about the point where you need to make decisions about your own life. To learn from your mistakes, my parents still don't understand that. No matter how good your parents want you to be, it's ultimately up to you to be what you want to be. And they'll just have to come to terms with the end result.

Second, I believe that most colleges look at the ACT, though I'm not sure. I have not taken the SAT yet, but took the ACT twice. I really didn't think it was that hard...got a 26 on the second try. If it's good enough for you, it should be good enough for them. But don't let what they think influence what you think.

Third, colleges DO tend to look at extracurricular activities quite a bit. But also grades. However, Junior year is the hardest out of the four, so colleges may take that into account, if you take a year off to concentrate on your classes and then do the orchestra your senior year, they may notice that.

If you think you can handle it, then go for it. But I would put the grades before orchestra. You still have your senior year. However, if you're not happy, you can't do well in your classes because you are distracted (I have learned this the hard way).

Again, ultimately it's up to what you want to do. Do what you feel most comfortable with, but don't, in the words of my biology teacher, commit 'academic suicide'.

I hope this helps, and have a merry christmas

Answer 3

Although SAT scores are important in getting into university or college, many universities and colleges are looking at how many activities students have besides just getting good grades and good sat scores. They want well rounded students who have done community service as well as participated in school activities.

I've known some very brilliant students with high sats who are some of the most lonely unhappy individuals because all they know how to do is study. They have few friends, no hobbies . Success isn't just high grades but being passionate about what you do and living a life that complete for you.

I think you can do sats a second time , but stress to your parents how much you enjoy being in the orchestra and doing the high school musical. It may not have been their dream to do this in high school but this is your life and they should allow you to gain as many positive experiences as you can on your way to being successful

Answer 4

have you told them what you wrote on here? offer to take an SAT prep course after the AP tests are over and everything and then retake the SAT. if what you truly love is music, you should do it. of course, you also DO live with their parents. try to be honest and calm when you talk to them. let them know how much you want to do the orchestra, remind them you're only a junior and you can retake the SAT at the beginning of next year. start studying now for your APs... show them that you mean business and you're not going to get in over your head.

hopefully they'll come around, and if not, keep doing music as much as you can anyway!

...also, have you tried the ACTs? some people do much better on them, it's a different test. you could offer this as anothe roption as well.

Answer 5

tell your parents that if they don't let you join, you're going to step in front of a moving train....just kidding!

but seriously, let them know that not being in pit orchestra makes you unhappy. this will no doubt affect your academic success as well. like the first person said, you're taking 3 AP classes and you are still a junior. this means you also have more time to boost your score before retaking the SAT next year. also make a deal with them that over the summer, you will cut back on your social activities and spend a dedicated amount of time on your SAT prep each and every day.

good luck on convincing them

Answer 6

Will first i would point out how you feel then go into thier outlook on the SAT's. You could get all weird-ish on it and point at that most colleges look at the ACT now n all that. Also you could talk about how your grades are more important since alot of colleges recongize that some people aren't good at taking test.

But the main thing here is how you feel. So i would sit them down and ask them to let you talk. And i would talk about anything and everything. Tell them how you feel about this pit orchestra and then get into how you feel when your without it.

Try and make a deal.

If your like my friend who was in it then you could get all weird and show them a printed copy of the suicide rate among students in japan and in america. Then you, like her, could be like 'the reason the rate is hiring in america is because of the SATS and parents not letting their children have some free space.'

Then she was like 'You should be happy im into Orchestra instead of drugs and all that. Because once im out of the Pit then what else do i do? Drugs. Drugs...ill do drugs.'

She was really like saying the most random things. Her parents knew she wasn't serious (she stopped doing drugs like...sophmore year) n all that and decided if shes going to get all crazy on something like that then give it too her. Kids make mistakes.

Answer 7

If youare good at music then you should join. AsK your parents for a tutor to help with your workSometimes you need a hobby to keep your mind focused before exams as away of relaxation. I am sure there are other students jin the orchestra that are experiencing similar problems.Get your teacher or the person in charge to talk to your parents. Or ask your parents to attend a rehearsal with you. If they see how much you like the orchestra they may change their minds.

Answer 8

Point out to them that many colleges look more at grade point average and extracurricular activities than at SAT scores. In addition, if you are going to try for a music scholarship, you need as much experience as possible.

If you're taking AP classes your junior year, you must already be a pretty good student. They weren't even offered at my school until senior year.

Answer 9

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