Teenage Entrepreneur’s Ivy League Rejections Ignite Debate

Staff Writer: Sweata Maiti

Last Updated: Apr 03, 2025, 1:35:00 PM IST

Zach Yadegari, an 18-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of the nutrition tracking application Cal AI, recently revealed that he was denied admission to prestigious institutions including Harvard, Stanford, and Yale. This disclosure has sparked extensive debate concerning the fairness and priorities of Ivy League admissions processes.

Yadegari, who maintains a 4.0 GPA and achieved a 34 on the ACT, shared his rejection letters on X (formerly Twitter), noting that his company generates significant revenue. His posts quickly went viral, amassing over 10 million views and eliciting a spectrum of reactions from the public.

While some expressed astonishment that such an accomplished individual could be overlooked, others speculated that factors beyond academic and entrepreneurial achievements influenced the admissions decisions. Critics pointed to Yadegari’s personal statement, suggesting that its content and tone may have played a role in the outcomes.

In response to inquiries about his motivation for pursuing higher education despite his professional success, Yadegari stated that his primary interest lies in experiencing the social aspects of college life.​

This incident has ignited discussions about the criteria used by elite universities in their selection processes, highlighting the complex balance between academic performance, personal statements, and other holistic factors considered during admissions.