I'm in the 10th grade, and I get excellent grades. I'm not quite sure what I want to do when it comes time to earn a living, but I do know that I will be a graduate of a good college or university.

Last week I met with my school counselor, and she said I should get involved in extracurricular activities because "elite" colleges and universities prefer students who have been involved with after-school events. I wouldn't mind having a bunch of after-school activities added to my transcript, but I'm not good at sports (I hate them) and the only musical instrument I play is the piano and piano players are eliminated from the marching band.

Shouldn't colleges and universities be more interested in a student who possesses a 4.0 grade point average than one with a 3.5 grade point average who hits a ball with a bat? I was born in Korea, and the system there places all emphasis on academics, not playing games. — Kim, San Diego, Calif.

KIM: Colleges and universities enjoy having brilliant students come to their campuses, and they all place outstanding academic achievement as the prime requirement for acceptance. I'm sure you will have little difficulty entering the school of your choice if you continue your superb academic record. Still, some schools do look at a student's extracurricular participation as well as grades, looking for individuals who are well-rounded.

There are many more extracurricular activities than marching band and athletics. Why not check out a club or group that sounds like it would be fun (as well as look good on your transcript) — the student newspaper or yearbook staff, for instance? Or you could run for a class or student body office, try out for the school play or start a piano-appreciation club. You could also tutor less-gifted students, assist the librarian or volunteer to read stories to elementary students, or become a part of the all-school choir.

These are but a few extracurricular activities many high schools offer their students. There are many, many more to choose from. It's up to you to take advantage of them. Once you find a group you enjoy, you'll see the value of expanding your horizons with extracurricular activities.

I SHARE POT TWICE A WEEK

DR. WALLACE: I don't smoke tobacco cigarettes, and I am 100 percent positive I never will. But my boyfriend and I share two marijuana cigarettes a week. Yes, we inhale, and even though I enjoy the effect of marijuana, I am concerned about the possibility of getting lung cancer from my enjoyable habit. Is this a real danger? Otherwise, I really do take good care of my health. — Lisa, Santa Fe, N.M.

LISA: Marijuana has been widely used on a regular basis for about the past 45 years, and only time will tell what sort of negative effects it has on the body. Two marijuana cigarettes a week may not cause major health problems, but the odds of your contracting heart and lung diseases would be lower if your lungs were completely smoke-free.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at rwallace@galesburg.net. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.