I don't think the OP wants your permission Bud, or my permission, or his parents. Just read the title of the thread. And if you are waiting for people to thank you for advice you give on the Internet, you know that's a hit or miss affair. And I understand that you really care and want to see the best for him.

He wants advice on how to do it. His LBS of course gave him the most expensive advice. He's gotten advice on how to do it cheaper. He's about to matriculate to that school which we all must attend; not Hogwarts, but the College of Hard Knocks.

I suspect that he's not as starry-eyed as you may think. And we've given our best advice, mine being that he should take LAB commuting courses, not only for his information, but because doing so lets his parents know that he is being serious and getting known levels of education about a very important subject. But to insist that he follow it, is a waste of our breath. He's going to do what he determines is best. And just as when Bill Gates decided that dropping out of Harvard was just the thing to do, I'm sure all the adults said, "Bill, this is foolishness!". Sometimes things work out. Sometimes not.

And yes, his hopes and dreams matter very very much. If I can quote Emil Frankl, Those who have a why to live, can bear with almost any how., and dreams are all about why.