No one has yet reached such stardom as Hollywood glamour icon Marilyn Monroe. Anyone who hasn’t been living under a rock can recall the famous scene where her billowing white dress flies up while she stands on a city subway grate in the 1955 film “The Seven Year Itch.”

Though Monroe died almost 50 years ago, she continues to make headlines—trumping other entertainment news about current stars—to grace the cover of major magazines. Her priceless personal items and never-released images are coveted by millions.

What are the chances of anyone surpassing Monroe’s level of stardom? I’d say slim, but even with the odds tipped unfavorably, many Columbia students attend college and pay thousands of dollars to make it big.

There is something incredibly admirable and romantic about someone pursuing a dream as difficult as becoming a profound musician or Broadway actor, instead of picking a major with more career opportunities he or she may not be as interested in. Columbia artists aren’t picking the safe option—that certainly takes some guts.

Columbia is a school students flock to because they are too passionate about their craft to leave it at just a hobby.

It’s more than a story to tell their kids someday about when dad used to play the guitar or when mom starred in high school plays.

However, art students need to be reasonable and think about “plan B” if “plan A” isn’t panning out like it was supposed to, especially with winter graduation just around the corner.

Some students are fully aware their tuition dollars may be a fruitless attempt at obtaining their goals. Because of this major investment in students’ futures, a Facebook group was created in which many Columbia students are members: “I picked a major I like, and one day I will probably be living in a box.”

This is not to be cynical, but to poke fun at the passion art students have to accomplish goals some deem non-lucrative.

In fact, the college has had numerous alumni who’ve made it big, including Oscar award-winner “Avatar” cinematographer Mauro Fiore, rapper Che “Rhymefest” Smith and HBO Films President Len Amato, among others.

Of course, it will always be hard to compete with the Monroes, Michael Jacksons or Oprah Winfreys of the world and catch that much needed break, but one should try.

Perhaps he or she will receive more than 15 minutes of fame and get their lasting legacy printed on magazine covers.