I'd love to connect with people like lachyg or others who are related to the struggle of finding ways to pursue their dreams in the US without having a college degree.
Im currently enrolled an in US institution and working on CPT, but there is nothing I'd love to do more than quit school in the fall to work full-time, however as the article notes, any ordinary visa does not apply to non-degree holders. After consultation with our lawyers, a marriage or mentioned O1 visa are the only option.
I know several people in a similar situation who went through the O1 route, however they all say its a ridiculously hard process and requires extensive documentation of the "national and international acclaim". Admittance to YC/TS helps a lot (which we are trying right now)