Do you mean there are a lot of steps to get admitted to a program in composition?
You can apply to any college or university with a BA in music (most have that) and do composition as a BA student. Most of the time BA programs do not require auditions or interviews, or portfolios. You apply to the school, and when you get in, you try out areas of study and decide on a major at the end of sophomore year. You would have the option of submitting a music supplement with samples of your work, a music resume, and letters of recommendation if you wanted. But it’s not necessary. A BA would have 1/4-1/3 classes in music and extracurricular performance, though some do have performance components in the curriculum (lessons, performance for credit, and some performance in classes). There are many many schools where you could do this (and continue what you are doing).
You can also apply to a conservatory or school of music environment that offers a BM program with 2/3-3/4 classes in music. These would require a portfolio of 3-4 pieces, with some played live, preferably. You would have to submit scores as well. Some schools have instrumental auditions for composers, and some don’t. You might prefer schools with a contemporary focus versus classical, like Berklee, USC Thornton, Belmont, Miami Frost. Take a look at Columbia College Chicago.
You might also be interested in programs in studio production, which comes under various labels besides studio production. You seem to be using software to compose, and that use of technology can mean more of a focus on music production, music technology, electronic music, audio engineering, whatever you want to call it or whatever direction appeals. Some of these programs also require portfolio and audition. If this is what you want, let us know and we can make suggestions.
The composition world is still primarily “classical” in its training with theory being very important. However, much of the composition occurring these days is in the area of “new music,” a label for contemporary classical or concert or art music that is sometimes more avant-garde. You might want to learn about this. Alex Ross wrote a great book entitled “The Rest is Noise.”
To prepare for applying, I think it would be helpful to get a real teacher. It could be a piano teacher who emphasizes theory and can also help with composition. Or you could get a piano teacher and a composition teacher (preferable) and take music theory in person or online. You should be able to get credit at school for taking a theory class.
I don’t know if you are a senior but summer programs can be very helpful.
If you are having fun writing music, you can continue no matter what you do. If money is an issue at all, you can even do community college and then transfer. I have met students at conservatory who have done that.
Many options but you need more training if you are serious about music, and if you want a BM program that training will have to happen before you apply. If you are a junior, you have time. If you are a senior, not sure you have time to learn how to write scores and get a portfolio together. You could ask some of the schools (Columbia College Chicago for instance) what they require.
A BA program would be fine for you, with no application portfolio or audition, but it sounds like you don’t want to do those other 30 classes outside of music!!! You could take a gap year and work hard then apply.
ps Boise State offers both a BA and BM (and a minor). The BM is for composition in several “idioms” so might include conemporary/popular, jazz as well as classical. Check it out. Also, you apply to the university and once on campus apply to be a music major, or premusic major. I am not sure what they mean by “audition” for a composition student, but you can find out.
“Audition for the Music Department: All incoming and transfer undergraduate students (including music minors) must perform an audition for the music faculty and take the Music Theory Predictive Exam. Students who complete an acceptable performance audition will be granted Music Major status. Students who complete an audition that shows promise but is not yet acceptable will be granted Pre-Music Major Status. Pre-Music Majors will have one semester to improve performance skills for Music Major Status.”
