Freshman Rylan Collins has a lot to balance: ROTC, a pending record deal and Penn Engineering. He still has time, however, to go for the ladies and work on his "mojo."
Street: We hear you turned down a record deal to come to Penn. Care to elaborate?
Rylan Collins: Well, last year after one of my concerts, I got a call from some record executives about flying me out to LA and putting me in a studio. Then I got an e-mail saying I got into Penn. Since the execs wouldn't let me do both, I did what any future rock-star would do. I turned down all the fame, riches and women for a life of stress and studying. Besides, if I went out to LA the first time they asked, I'd come off as easy!
Street: Who are your musical inspirations?
RC: I listen to a lot of Blink182, Cartel, Foo Fighters and bands like that. As far as inspirations go, I get my mojo from Bing Crosby and Tupac.
Street: How do you keep up the practicing while at Penn?
RC: Hours of zombie-like fixation on Rock Band on my friend's Xbox. The only exception is when I write my songs, which happens unpredictably. Anytime, anywhere. I can't control it; it's a gift and a curse.
Street: Any plans for pursuing things in the future?
RC: I'm going to be a rock star starting next year. After I get out of Penn, I'll be an officer in the Navy for at least four years. Then, I'll travel the world for a year or two. I'll get an MBA, become more rich and powerful, then run for President.
Street: Best place you've ever been?
RC: My dad, my brother and I sometimes go on adventures in Nicaragua. Honest. It's sufficiently off the map enough for me to have stories about riding around on horseback with a machete, getting lost in the jungle, cutting the head off a rattlesnake to save my brother and getting chased by armed bandits.
Street: Soundtrack to your life?
RC: Easy. James Bond theme. Followed by Monday Night Football, but then back to Bond.
Street: How does ROTC factor into your life at Penn?
RC: ROTC is my life at Penn. I wake up at 5 a.m. almost every weekday to work out, take extra classes, get yelled at by a very intimidating Gunnery Sergeant, and freeze in the Philadelphia winter. Nothing is more rewarding.
Street: Most surprising thing about Penn?
RC: The ladies. was that a creepy answer? [Editor's Note: Um, kind of.]
Street: Penngineer: overrated or underrated?
RC: Both. Overrated work load. I'm taking seven classes and doing ROTC, and I'm still alive. Underrated sex lives. You know, once you go Penngineer, you never go back.
