I was very serious about ballet up until a year and a half ago when I had a serious foot injury that has never entirely healed. I've still been dancing, taking a limited number of ballet classes and doing a lot of modern dance. I have not done any pointe work in the last year. This year I applied to colleges with strong dance programs and I got into Skidmore College and I'm considering going there. I guess my hesitation in sending in my deposit is just that by doing so I feel like I’m giving up on ballet entirely. I'm considering deferring, trying to get over this injury and try my luck at a ballet career. Am I completely crazy and too old to try this at age 18? Are any of you facing similar dilemmas?

You might consider what (if anything) you wish to do in life OTHER than dancing. College isn't just a place to go if you have no dreams, it is a place to go to PREPARE for a career, hopefully in something you find engaging. Consider carefully what going to college as a dance major could mean, as well, and whether you wish to pursue professionally what that would prepare you for (dance teacher). If not, you're better off with some other major.

If you really don't want to do anything other than dance, then you might seriously consider continuing your pursuit of dance, rather than wasting your opportunity for an education at college. Not that it's easy or assured, but at least you'll probably get something out of continued dancing. I do know professional dancers who were injured around your age. I don't know anything else about your dancing, so I absolutely cannot say what your chances are of pursuing a career in classical or modern dance.