<p>As a transfer student I am at a crossroads.
I am finishing up the fall semester, and preparing for my last semester.
I just applied to my choice UCs, and am in the process of applying to scholarships.
I actually like school, overall I'm interested in learning and I really like my field, anthropology.</p>
<p>However, I keep feeling that going to college is, in a way, killing my real dream of being a musician. Maybe this isn't the right place to ask this because any career in entertainment is typically seen as an unrealistic goal, but its been my goal since I was a child.</p>
<p>Due to a long list of complications and the complete lack of peer and familial support and lack of resources (financial and otherwise); I was never able to get singing lessons (which go at min. $75 an hour where I live), though I was always active in choirs. </p>
<p>However, I eventually came to realize that my lack of natural talent needed to be aided by a private instructor, which is still currently out of my reach because any spare money I have goes to school (college isn't cheap!).</p>
<p>I don't know what to do. I'm not naturally gifted and while I love school I love music more, its been a passion I've had throughout my life but I feel my time is running out.</p>
<p>Even if being a musician is the end goal, I think it’d be good to have a degree to fall back on.</p>
<p>What are you majoring in? You could major in music, if that’s your passion. Alternatively, if you’re already set on a different path, take some music classes at UC after you transfer… you might not have to choose strictly between school and music.</p>
<p>Well, having a bachelor’s degree now-a-days isn’t really something to fall back on, especially one in anthropology, though I suppose that is a different conversation all together. </p>
<p>However, I am transferring into UC as a junior and an anthro major. For finance sake, I need to be done with my B.A. in two years, do you really think I could take music courses? And as a side question: don’t you have to audition to get into the music programs, and by extension, to take music courses? </p>
<p>Just some thoughts, thanks for giving an alternative insight. Hopefully during my stay at a UC I can make friends with a music major, or someone who is just generally into voice, who can take me under their wing and teach me something about voice!</p>
<p>Thanks @ocnative; though I guess my problem isn’t really being a musician, its getting the appropriate skill set to actually be in music and call myself a musician. But hopefully when I am at a UC I can acquire some skills that will help me get on that path.</p>
<p>College requires commitment so if you aren’t passionate about your subject / your mind is distracted that’ll make your grades suffer. For this reason I wouldn’t tell you to stick with the subject if you want to do music. With that being said I know someone who went to music school, now he is going to Santa Monica College and wants to transfer into business school.</p>
<p>If you want to be a musician I think you should go for it and not worry about school. If you got into a top UC -I think- it would be very hard to put your heart into both school and music. Also, if your aren’t sure about school and don’t take an acceptance you might be taking someones spot that really wants to go to that school. If you aren’t fully committed pull your app and give someone else your spot.</p>
<p>@bomerr I do like school, as a matter of fact I’m willing to say I have a love for school that I’ve developed since starting at community college, and through that I did find a passion of sorts for anthropology. So, in a sense, I love my field. But my heart will perhaps always lie elsewhere, with music. It has served as a distraction while I’ve been at my CC aswell but I’ve managed to get top-notch grades, though I’m sure entering the UC will be harder than what I’ve already done…</p>
<p>Personally, I’m not to keen on music school. For some people, depending on how they want to be in the industry, that could be a really great pathway, but for the most part I think that money and time would be better spent honing skills and making connections. I hope that person you know is able to be in music if that is what they are truly passionate about.</p>
<p>@KaliMuscleG4P, interesting perspective, thus far you are the only person to have this point of view, though I do understand where you are coming from by taking a spot from someone else. But, as my prior response states, I do actually really like school and I like my field. So, thats where things get more complex for me.</p>
<p>When I was in high school, or perhaps even during my first semester at college if someone told me to drop out of school and that I could pursue music I would have said yes without hesitation. Now, because I’ve actually gained a liking to school, it would be something I would need to think about. </p>
<p>Thank you for your alternate point of view.</p>
<p>I think that what you mentioned is actually a big fear of mine. Honestly, I can’t think of a single job that I would like or find some sort of fulfillment in outside of being a musician; and believe me, it is something I’ve thought long and hard about. </p>
<p>Growing up, I saw my parents struggle through jobs they hated, and I knew I didn’t want the same for myself. I guess that is another area in which I hesitate to get a degree.</p>
<p>Getting a degree does not equal getting a sucky job that you hate. If you enjoy school then get the degree and keep going with your music. Even if you don’t use your degree now, it’s there if you ever need it. Getting the degree doesn’t automatically mean you’ll turn into your parents. The degree just gives you additional options.</p>
<p>I agree with what most of these previous posters have said.</p>
<p>But, let me empathize with you for a bit. I understand what it’s like to be passionate about music; I like to think that I lucked out with a naturally good singing voice, I love playing guitar and other instruments, etc. Currently, I am a Biology major but before going to college I considered taking classes to become a music producer. In theory, it sounds appealing and seems as if it would be fitting for someone like me who truly loves music… However, I took some time to think long term - if music wouldn’t work out, what else would I have going on for me? </p>
<p>There’s a fine line between a hobby you’re very passionate about and a profession you’re aspiring to become a part of. Music may be it for you, but are you willing to take the risk and gamble for your future? In the end, it’s only you who will make the ultimate decision. Just please make sure to have some sort of contingency plan.</p>