The topic that I chose for my argument paper was the argument of whether music at the high school level is actually useful in preparing students for college and if music can actually benefit students academically. This is a heavily debated topic among high schools and universities alike, especially those that specialize in more STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields. I chose this topic because I have a passion for music and I feel that at the later stages of education music is neglected, despite its usefulness for a student, in favor of more “applicable” programs to the world. Speaking from personal experience, music has benefited me more than I could have even imagined, it allowed me to connect with my peers in a unique way and it provided a form of stress relief at times at well which is very important for students. Therefore, the benefits of music to a person is the reason why recognizing the value of music in terms of an educational standpoint is important to discuss. It is shown through numerous studies that students that took music education in high school were more inclined to be more balanced students showing proficiency in topics such as language and math. This general idea is going to be the major claim that I make regarding the subject of music and education, and I plan on using resources such as professional studies as well as personal opinions regarding the subject. A common counterpoint that will definitely be discussed is the idea that music has no direct use in the workforce, it doesn’t directly aid a student in finding jobs unless they plan on pursuing a career in music education or music performance. However, rather than directly affecting their ability in a respective field, music aids a student in a more general sense, making them a better overall learner rather than a master in a specific field. Therefore, for these reasons, I feel that it is important to recognize music in the classroom and argue for its continued in relevance in education and beyond.