Is this a crazy idea?

I desperately want to sing. I'm 16. I can't read music and have never
been privately trained. I've taken four years of Choir at school
(although it's not a very selective class, my singing has improved).
I've started working on it aggressively by myself and it's working a
bit. My parents will insist upon me going to college but I'm thinking
of taking a year off to try and make a career out of this or at least
go to school in New York City or Los Angeles so I can go to school and
still pursue music.
What do you think? Is this just a giant waste of time at this point?