The Reverse College Application

Two days after receiving all of my college decisions, I sat on my deck, listening to the first semblances of spring. The chirping robins sung, providing the cinematic, borderline religious score for the moment I was about to experience. I hadn’t opened any of my decision letters. After waiting for months, I could stand to wait an extra day or two until I was ready. Sitting there, orange juice in hand, half clothed in a robe, I opened them all.

I didn’t get into any.

I sat looking out, my mind turning in. I thought of the past nine months. The hours of writing essays; the days I’d take to film, edit, and comb over every frame of my creative supplements; the hopes I shared with my friends and colleagues. If college applications were still printed, mine would have all been turned to ash. Instead, all I had were liquid-crystal disappointments, forming together in a matrix to form the unfortunate first words: “Dear Ryan, I’m sorry…”

I stopped reading the letters after I saw those first two words. A pulse of adrenaline, a trip down the lane of doubt. The next one. Repeat. I went all the way down the line until there were no more shots of adrenaline — there was only emptiness. That feeling lingered. Like second hand smoke or a terrible aftertaste, it hurt. I couldn’t forget it.

On the verge of having my dreams crushed in totality, I sat at my desk two weeks after The Opening. Recoiling at the thought of stagnance, I said to myself that this isn’t the end. Diving into my past, thinking back to my earlier years, I thought of the versions of myself that would have accepted the fate and moved on. That’s not me anymore.

After almost twelve years of education behind me, leading up to nothing but rejections and disillusionment, I’m empowered. I’ve decided to move on: decided to say goodbye to the schools that told me no, and look beyond to bigger and better potentialities — to seek institutions that want me.

So, this is me. A portrayal of my strengths, my weaknesses, and where I want to grow. It’s a roadmap, soaked in mist, pointing in a hundred different directions. This is my call — a beacon to find a place where I belong.

This is a reverse college application. Modeling my it off of Andrew Horner’s phenomenal Reverse Job Application from 2010, I’m doing it for many of the same reasons he outlined. First, applying to college obviously didn’t work. Second, it closed me off to many opportunities: opportunities that may have been the perfect fit. [What do I want?] Third, the college application undermines my value as an individual. Over the past seventeen years, I pursued my passions, excelled at every task I set my mind to, and tried to give back to the community that got me to where I am today. I should be in demand.

With that in mind, I’ve decided to invert the college application process. Or more aptly, invert the education application process. College isn’t the only way forward, and I welcome any offer, as far ranging as a suggestion to buy a textbook or an invitation to visit another country. I’m open sourcing the decision, calling far and wide for opinions and options to pursue as I move forward in the next chapter of my life.

I’m no idiot. You’re right to be questioning someone who’s gotten denied from all of the universities he applied to. Something must be wrong with him! And yes, something is wrong with me. Here are the admit rates of the schools I applied to:

• 4.5%
• 5.1%
• 6%
• 7%
• 9%
• 16%
• 18%

Maybe I should have shot a bit lower.

Full disclosure, I did get into two schools in the fall which I am excited to attend. That being said, I’m never satisfied. Even if I did get into one of the universities above, I’d probably be writing here. I want to open up my options and hear what else I might be able to accomplish.

Almost a decade ago, I first experimented with framing, editing, and composition, and soon discovered the world of photography. In the editing room, I investigated new techniques and styles and researched inspirational artists. I taught myself how to use Photoshop and investigated CMOS sensors and filetypes. Installing custom firmware on my basic camera to push it to its limits, I found a home on the command line.

Since those formative moments, I've built art using technology and practiced independent inquiry within all my studies. I taught myself how to design and build websites for organizations around my community. I taught myself how to lead through countless failures and experiences. I taught myself how to create compelling world with cutting edge tools. Self-learning gives me a never ending excitement — I have the power to build my own world.

In the past years, I tried various forms of art, ranging from photography to projection design to acting. At my high school, I dove into theatre, working as a lighting designer, director, actor, and projection designer, and I became the president of our 200-strong theatre company. In these fields, I fuse concepts from computer science to tell meaningful stories and build community.

My pursuit of art (fused with tech) has given me an intellectual hunger, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a stoic thoughtfulness.

Last May, I attended Boulder Startup Week. Skipping class to attend every event I could, I learned about the vibrant opportunities in Boulder. Through attending, I met my future boss, and soon after our first meeting, joined Glider as their first intern. Glider, a nonprofit that organizes events around the Boulder community, is center to the tech community in Boulder. Working alongside passionate, driven people, I grew and learned how to make an impact. I helped organize TEDxBoulder and Ignite Boulder, two events that sold over 3,000 tickets and raised $15,000 for local charities. The internship taught me about communication, respect, and what it means to be radically inclusive. It also cemented my interest in tech. I connected with the people who are having an impact on our society — and I found myself reaching to join their efforts.

After working in Boulder, I connected with a few companies in the crypto space. This school year, I worked at them. At RADAR, a decentralized exchange, I’m leading the buildout of the Bitcoin Lightning Network wiki, a major subset of one of Radar’s newest products. Reporting directly to the CEO, I’m given extreme responsibility, and through my work, I’m experimenting with project management, open source software, and marketing. At Gitcoin, an open source bounties platform, I’ve led the expansion of an ambassador program and have worked through the recruitment and hiring process of a remote team. I’ve also grown my contributions towards the open source ecosystem. At Decentraland, a project that blends software, gaming, digital property, and blockchain, I’m working on the growth team — I’m focusing on populating the digital world with content. With the knowledge I gain from each company, I learn what works and what doesn’t with management and culture. I’m getting hands on experience that I’ll be able to take as I look towards building my own company one day.

I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to traverse various disciplines of academic study — from chemistry, to anthropology, to biology. My high school offers a diverse set of courses that expose me to every facet of society. Through my work experience, too, I’ve discovered my interests and found things that excite me.

Working in the tech industry has been enthralling. Working at the frontier of software — observing the intersection of finance, governance, and technology in the cryptocurrency world — I’m fulfilled and energized. I’m exploring the Lightning Network, Ethereum, and enterprise ledger applications, pioneering technologies that will go on to rethink society. Looking forward, I strive to go into computer science and navigate the field of machine learning, specifically deep reinforcement learning.

Within the arts, theatre is stimulating. Ever since I started working on my first production, I’ve been drawn to the artform. As an actor, I’m a modern shaman, telling stories through physicalization; as a designer, I’m crafting an environment where an entire world can exist. I look to augment my pursuits in the technology industry with exploration of arts.

Film has quenched my creative yearning; it has allowed me to explore cross-disciplinary skills of cinematography, organization, and direction. I feel alive in production meetings, on set, in the editing room, and behind the camera.

Anthropology and biology are also interests of mine. With plans to lead a team in the future, social sciences like sociology and anthropology are tools that I’ll need to be successful in my future endeavors.

College is more than an education, a social network, or an identity. Put simply, it’s a lever. For enterprising students like myself, it’s the leverage we need to start moving the world. Attending a college, I’d be excited to make unexpected connections, to elevate my global consciousness, and to live in an intellectual epicenter.

College isn’t the only path though, and I recognize that. Mentorships are the best way to learn, and there are more efficient ways to gain a social network or an identity. Plus, college isn't exactly cheap.

Now: the ask.

I'm seeking opportunities for the next chapter of my life. Specifically, I'm looking for education opportunities: colleges, bootcamps, mentorships, apprenticeships, or internships. I'm open to other forms of education, too.

I’ll review submissions and emails as the come in, evaluating potential offers based on personal interest, generosity, and future promise. I will respond to every email, guaranteed.

For Everyone: I am planning on taking a gap year before attending a university or other institution. If you have suggestions on what to do during that year, please reach out.

For Universities: If there is a chance to attend your institution after a gap year, I would love to hear more. I recognize how late it is in the admissions cycle for the Class of 2023, so I am looking a year ahead. There’s no rush.

Characteristics

• Pragmatic

People describe me as creative, but I prefer pragmatic. Approaching a script for the first time, understanding a problem that needs to be solved, investigating a new proposal, I’m shrewd. I translate creative ideas to actionable plans and make them happen.

• Relentless

From a letter of recommendation: “Ryan stops at nothing to get the job done. He’s not easily intimidated and when no is the answer, he keeps searching until he finds a yes. He demonstrates that kind of determination and resolve in all he does." Why thank you.

• Cross Disciplinary

An arts education has prepared me to lead and be a part of a team. So too are unexpected connections made between theatre and technology, anthropology and biology, and computer science and film. With my background, I have the perfect foundation to build upon; I’m prepared to dive deep into any one of my interests, or fuse two together.

• Steadfast

Throughout my academic career, I’ve chosen courses and classes that align with my own interests and goals rather than someone else's. I’ve methodically selected a diverse set of courses, ones that stand to challenge my own beliefs and expose me to new groups of people. I'm not following a path someone has set out for me. I’ve also prioritized mental health. In a generation where in a span of three years depressive symptoms can increase by 21 percent, I believe that mental health should be put before an excessive course load or missing out on what it means to be a young adult.

• Stats

I know what you’re thinking. What’s this kid’s GPA? What’d he get on the SAT? This all sounds like a big excuse to me. I have a 3.8 unweighted GPA after taking AP, IB, and advanced courses throughout my four years. I scored a 1480 on the SAT, taken in one sitting. Want to read my Common App essay? Here it is. Here’s my transcript, too. I’d also be happy to provide my letters of recommendation. Here’s my resume, if you want that too.

You are:

• A stimulating environment

Above all else, I’m seeking an environment where everyone else is smarter than me. I thrive when I’m surrounded by people that challenge and push me to do more, and I’m thankful to have been given that environment in high school and at work. For the next four years, I want to be elevated and help to elevate others — I want to enable the people around me to do their best work yet.

• A place to grow

I’m focused on growth, and I want my university to be committed to provide me the tools and resources I need to take on the world.

• Affordable

I don’t have the financial means to waste these four years. In fact, I plan to pay for my education 100% — I’m choosing to forego support that my parents or family might have given me. If I can’t afford your school, or won’t be able to, it’ll be a hard sell.

• Driven

Your campus is a haven for student groups, organizations, and clubs. I can see myself experimenting with joining new organizations and meeting new people immediately on campus.

• Accepting

This goes along with authenticity, in that a positive, welcoming culture should be embodied at your university. I’m not looking to compete or fight for the next four years: I want to find the friends that I’ll keep for the rest of my life. While a spirit of competition is something I adore, it shouldn’t be neurotic.