I feel like I’ve always been a step behind the game. More than a step. A lot of this has to do with simply (and very unfortunately) not having known how to navigate, apply for scholarships, etc when I was in high school. (I was also homeschooled and didn’t know about/have certain theatre opportunities that many high schoolers have.) I’ve been studying music-vocal pedagogy for 2 years. I am 21. I wanted to study musical theatre in college but some stuff happened which prevented me from pursuing it. I’ve been too scared. Too discouraged to try. I feel like I don’t have enough experience. Something changed in me though. I’ve started to confront my fears and just try anyway. I started applying for scholarships online. I applied to Columbus State, LaGrange College, and Brenau University and got accepted into all 3. (I live in GA.) I deferred my enrollment to Brenau for next Jan for financial reasons. I have a theatre audition coming up with them this fall. I want to apply to big schools like Carnegie Mellon, Elon University, University of Michigan, Ithaca College, NYU (I was accepted into NYU for this past summer but couldn’t afford it.) Here’s the thing: I already know it is hard to get into any of these top musical theatre schools and even harder to get a scholarship (there’s no way I could afford them without serious financial aid.) I’m doing everything I can to learn more. As a music major, I receive a lot of experience via lessons, performing, and even leadership roles. I used to dance a lot (Ballet/enPointe/some tap) I don’t have a teacher anymore and need to strengthen this area. I have the least amount of experience in theatre but this past summer gained a lot at a community theatre/auditioned for multiple shows this past summer (including professional) which was great audition experience. I just came back from a 2-week NY intensive at AADA. I am doing everything I can to be as proactive as possible and learn a and much as possible, but I always am serves steps behind. There are tons of kids who spent all their middle school/high school years in plays, at Thespian conferences, attending intensives, gaining recognition, etc., etc., etc. I am doing my best not to let discouragement keep me from pursuing my dream to transfer to a big school and fulfill my dream of being on Broadway, but when I sit back and realistically look at everything, the disadvantages on my side are very clear. My question is: as a 21 year-old transfer student, what are my chances of getting into a big musical theatre program? What are my chances of getting a scholarship since I am a transfer? What are my chances of reaching Broadway? Should I pursue this goal and career in Atlanta first and somehow make my way to NY? How likely am I to make it to Broadway/national tours if I start out in Atlanta? I’m not about to give up, I am too stubborn and determined to give up easily, but I want to be smart about all of this. At the same time, I don’t want to let “thinking logically” keep me from pursuing my dreams, but I don’t want to be foolish either. I could really use some solid, honest advice/opinions. Thank you in advance.