[psyklic]

The key at a university is that it will provide you resources to do whatever you want to do ... you just need to ask and show passion, because 99% of the students won't. Most people think that it is a very formal structure, but they will often bend rules to accommodate you if you are genuinely interested in learning. It's just up to you to take the initiative.

Want a research position over the summer? Ask professors and show them your interest -- most freshmen will assume they can't, won't get to know professors, and won't show passion. This is how I got a paid position as a freshman.

Want to do applied stuff? Join a club such as DARPA Grand Challenge, RoboCup, etc. Or, start a club. Or, you will likely have free time to work on personal projects (moreso than at a full time job at least). I started a RoboCup group my freshman year, met a lot of like-minded people, met a lot of professors. What a great thing to do to meet people and learn what the university has to offer.

Want to take an interesting upper-level class but don't meet the formal prereqs? Just ask, they'll probably let you in.

Also, I must say -- it is completely inaccurate that universities just "teach Java and C++". Almost everywhere, this is likely only a first, test-outable introductory course. The topics you said you were interested in should be available at any decent CS program as electives.