[fburnaby]

> I crave the challenge ... Are there schools out there that will let undergrads touch research and tackle the problems that current computer scientists face today?

If you're actually as interested as it sounds you are, then go. Lots of people have found university to be a waste of time, but I can't help but think that it's mostly been the people who waste their time there.

I think it's a shame that so many uninterested people get 'duped' into going; they likely won't get much out of it, and it's horrible that their guidance counselors (or whomever) are misleading them into thinking it's a necessary step. But there's so much cool stuff that goes on there, and profs will let you participate in it if you actually show an interest.