Dear Ms. Emily:

I am a junior in high school, and my dream is to become an actress. I'm thinking about applying to Juilliard once I'm a senior, but I'm afraid I won't get accepted. Also, if I do get into Juilliard, I'm afraid that my future would be crap because I never amounted to anything, and I just blew off all this money on this school to not become anything. So I need some advice. I'm afraid of being a failure in life, so what should I do ? Also, I am torn betweem Juilliard and Five Towns College. Tell me what you think of these colleges, and which one is the right one for me. Thanks : Signed : Scared of future.

------------------------------Miss Emily's advice--------------------------

Your attitude, in a word, sucks, and you won't make it based on that alone. Getting into the acting world, besides having the talent, means you have to accept (with dignity) being rejected for a part, only to get up the next day and try all over again. I know a lot of people who are talented, but the difference between making it, and not making it, is the courage and drive it takes to get there. Assuming you're capable of an attitude adjustment, Julliard accepts applicants who are skilled performers, and have tremendous ambition. It's highly competitive, and requires an audtion. Although fear of failure may be deeply embedded in the person pursuing a performing career (or any career for that matter),  it can't be the overriding concern. Be realistic about your goals, and understand that the journey is equally as important as the goal. You must work very hard, you will learn much along the way, but you need to commit in time and effort in order to lead you to where you want to be. If you're not up for it, don't bother. Five Towns College, on Long Island, looks okay on the Internet, but I don't think it's on the same level as Julliard. There are many universities and colleges to consider, and the time to start looking is now.