A first, easy step may be to find out if there is a counselor in your school who has experience with performing arts applications. If there isn’t, you could arrange a meeting with your counselor to discuss the process and share your understanding of it. I know that our high school has funds available to pay application fees for students who can’t afford them–if you can get your counselor on your side early on, he or she may be able to approve allocation of funds to pay some of those fees. There are some wonderful, knowledgeable people on this forum who will be happy to help you–just ask whatever questions come to mind. Good luck!