Zach Yadegari, an 18-year-old entrepreneur and co-founder of the nutrition tracking app Cal AI, caused a stir on social media after revealing his college rejections despite his outstanding achievements. Despite his 4.0 GPA, 34 ACT score, and a business generating $30 million in annual revenue, he was rejected by Stanford, Harvard, and Yale. Yadegari’s post on X (formerly Twitter) quickly went viral, racking up 10 million views and sparking a debate on the fairness and transparency of college admissions.
The Viral Post and College Rejections
In his viral post, Yadegari revealed that despite his academic excellence and entrepreneurial success, he was turned down by some of the most prestigious universities in the world. This led to an outpouring of reactions from social media users, many of whom were shocked by his rejections. Some users questioned the college admissions process, while others wondered if factors like his college essay or his perceived entitlement contributed to the outcome.
While Yadegari did secure admission to other universities like Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Texas, and University of Miami, his rejections from Ivy League schools led to discussions about the weight given to academic records versus personal values in college admissions.
Yadegari’s Motivation to Attend College
In response to questions about his desire to attend college despite his entrepreneurial success, Yadegari revealed that his primary motivation was to experience the social life that college offers, despite already achieving so much professionally.
A social media user remarked, “Any institution would be lucky to have you. The admissions officer reading your app was probably jealous,” while others questioned why he would still pursue a college education when his business success had already outpaced many professionals.
The Controversial Essay
Yadegari also shared his college admission essay, where he described his early entrepreneurial journey, which started when he taught himself coding at age 7. By 14, he was making $60,000 annually from a gaming website, and by 16, he had achieved a six-figure business exit. His decision to forgo traditional education and pursue real-world experience in San Francisco to build Cal AI was central to the essay.
However, the essay was met with criticism. Some social media users labeled it “poorly written”, suggesting that it didn’t effectively convey his story or fit the expectations of prestigious universities. One user commented, “Your essay was worse than the ones rich parents pay to have written for their kids,” while another said, “It doesn’t quite answer the natural follow-up questions about your stance against traditional education.”
The Critique of Yadegari’s Approach
Several critics speculated that Yadegari’s dismissiveness towards traditional education might not have aligned with the values of elite universities, which often value a well-rounded academic approach alongside social and personal development. His personal statement was seen by some as not fitting the mold that Ivy League schools often prefer in their applicants, possibly contributing to his rejection.
Conclusion: A Bigger Conversation on College Admissions
Yadegari’s experience has raised important questions about the college admissions process, particularly how much weight should be given to traditional academic achievements versus entrepreneurial success. His story highlights the tension between innovation and tradition in an increasingly competitive admissions landscape. As Yadegari continues to make waves in the business world, his college rejection story will remain a point of debate for many aspiring students and critics of the current educational system.
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