view from this parent: we’re grateful for this opportunity. our son definitely lacks the “imitation gene” so k-12 public school (and any other options within our financial means and family scheduling limits) did not adequately encourage/support his talents and ability. Furthermore,the college admission process is so formulaic that it failed to spot his potential. This fellowship is elitist in number, but not in spirit. They judged him on the merit of his idea and the depth of his abilities, not on his GPA. It was a competition that was open to all. And though it is not scalable, it offers up the notion that alternative paths to over-priced academia is possible. It is a small, but meaningful attempt to break the university monopoly on the futures of our brightest, most innovative students.