This anecdote fills me with hope for what a determined person is capable of. Lately I've been stuck thinking credentials are supremely important. I'm happy that people can challenge this and become successful!
That's just a winning attitude in general. It shows the guy's got a goal and is willing to do what it takes to make it happen.
It's true that determination can help you do wonders. And in my case, that initial rejection just added more steel to mine.
Credentials are supremely important. For every plucky kid who does something like this and succeeds, there are a hundred plucky kids that try something like this and still don't get accepted.