Hackquest this post could not have better( or maybe worse ) timing...

I'm currently a student at Iowa State University, which is one of 6 or 7 universities in the nation that offer the cybercorp scholarship.

Basically your on a full ride, plus an 8k tax free stipend in the bank each year so you can focus on your studies.

You have direct interaction with some of the best and brightest at the university, do the math, you'd graduate at the top of your game having been challenged by these professors.

I did not get accepted this year hackquest, but I am going to be applying, and reapplying, and going to graduate school if I have to to obtain this goal I have had since senior year in high school.

Just to give you an idea of the competition for this program, here are my credentials

3.7 cummulative GPA(app requires min 3.2)
4 letters of reccomendation(not hard to find, my app only asked for 2)
an "extremely strong interview" - although it seems it was not strong enough =\

and...

A personal essay I had critiqued by 3-4 university professors and employees

The students that graduate typically work for the NSA for the 2 years, and then do whatever they want.

Full ride and job security, what else could you ask for in a degree?

I hope this info helped!