How can I learn an instrument in college?

Question

I've always been fascinated with learning an instrument.. but I never knew which one I wanted to learn. On top of that.. my family is low income so they had no way of paying for lessons or the instrument itself.

Now I've been struck with inspiration and motivation to learn the violin. The set back is.. that I'm going onto 17 years of age and I'm about to start college in about a year.

I would really love to learn the violin in college, but could it even work out? I'm not trying to become a pro at playing, but I just want to get good at it. Good as in being able to play a couple of classical songs (and more). Would playing the violin for 4 years be enough to be good? How many?

What I just want to know is..

- How long it really takes to be 'good' at playing the violin?

- How I can possibly learn to play during my years in college (playing and reading musical notes).

I'm going to be pretty dedicated. I know it's pretty late for my age, but I'm just so fascinated with the instrument.

Answer 1

I took up the violin at 23, while I was in graduate school, and was playing with the symphony 2 years later.  Sure you can do it.  I wouldn't have called myself 'really good' at the time but I was certainly capable.  But how long it takes you to pick it up varies from person to person.  A friend of mine started at the same time, but 4 years later he's not where I was after a year and a half.  

Most colleges have a string teacher, or at the least can recommend one nearby or have a grad student who will teach you.