I just read your essay.

There are parts where I lolled. There are parts where I yelled out something like "Holy Shit" and covered my mouth with my hand (body language for shock).

You're a remarkable young man with a remarkable story behind him--and obviously very much a "work in progress." You're gonna do interesting stuff.

Perhaps I'll write an essay about religion in my life though it was only for one weekend and wound up with me being dumped by my girlfriend, having a huge fight with my flatmates, my bedroom caught on fire and some people from up north were no doubt in trouble for the damage I caused to their hotel room.

I'm starting to get the feeling that Ace is the Dos Equis Most Interesting Man in the World.

I have attempted to tell said story here before actually but gave up. I'll make another attempt...at some stage

If its anything like Ace's other essays it will be awesome.

This is not even all of it. I haven't mentioned my mothers beliefs in homeopathy, anal sex lethality, and vaccine hysteria yet.

Word of advice: Run. Far away. Far far away.

I'm looking at Penn State. Not looking back.

They have the best ski team in the conference, the bastards.

I have three words for you. Michigan. Go Blue.

Problem is I have very good research accolades but meh GPA.

Eagle Scout. NM Commended. NHS in high school, 7th in class. Worked in a physics lab for a year or so. A+ certification. Scuba diver.

None of these scream, yeah we can make an exception.

I would make an exception for you. Seriously. Try Michigan. It's a cool little town, there are relatively few religious crazy and a goodly amount of thoughtful people who can incorporate faith into their worldview, it's not too big, the food is decent....

What exactly is your degree in, and what do you want to do. WE have lots of high tech stuff out here in all manner of scientific fields in Denver/Boulder, great mountains, and lovely weather.

Computer Science (w/minor in physics). My interests are Complex Event Processing, networks, and teaching. The physics minor is because I was originally a physics/CS dualie but didn't want to spend 5 years on an undergrad.

I think i answered the wrong thread. anyhow, if you see a question about two galaxies colliding or weather patterens, that's supposed to be here.

UCSB's Department of Computer Science is within the top 10 of the nation's PhD programs in Computer Science. Be a Gaucho.

Eagle Scout! Woooooo!

Philmont twice, Northern Tier once, ASPL once, Quartermaster several times, Chaplin's aid once.

Have the BSA let in the undesirables yet?

If you do end up at PSU and want to do something with scouting, I'm sure my old troop would be happy to have a new junior scoutmaster, and they couldn't care less if you're an atheist.

Not here, though I am technically an adult leader, and with the aid of almost the entire troop helped cover for the poor closeted kid.

Pedigree like that and no SPL? Must have been a big troop.

About 20.