Zach Yadegari, an 18-year-old CEO and co-founder of the rapidly growing AI-powered calorie tracking app Cal AI, has ignited a nationwide conversation after revealing that despite his impressive credentials—an unblemished 4.0 GPA and a multi-million dollar business—he was rejected by some of the most prestigious universities in the U.S.
The New York-based entrepreneur shared his surprising rejection story earlier this week on the social media platform X, revealing that 15 elite institutions, including Harvard, Stanford, Yale, MIT, Columbia, and Princeton, declined his application. This revelation has sparked a heated debate about the college admissions process, with many questioning its priorities and fairness.
Yadegari’s app, Cal AI, which he launched during his junior year of high school, leverages artificial intelligence to analyze food images and track calorie intake. The app has quickly become a sensation, generating $30 million in annual recurring revenue—a reflection of Yadegari’s technical expertise and entrepreneurial spirit. Having started coding at the age of seven and selling a successful online gaming business at 16, Yadegari is no stranger to success.
Despite his exceptional academic achievements, including a near-perfect ACT score of 34, his college applications were met with rejection. In his social media post, Yadegari reflected on his journey of self-teaching, building businesses, and eventually relocating to San Francisco to focus on Cal AI. He also recounted a pivotal moment during a visit to a rock garden in Kyoto, where he redefined his view of college—not just as a place to advance his career but as an opportunity for personal growth and learning.
Among those who voiced their surprise was Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, who called the situation “nuts.” Many others echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that Yadegari’s entrepreneurial success and academic record should make him a prime candidate for top universities.
However, some discussions have centered around the holistic admissions process employed by many top universities, which takes into account factors beyond just grades and achievements. In response to the debate, Yadegari expressed that his primary motivation for attending college was to experience its social aspects, while also posting an “open letter to admission offices,” advocating for a more meritocratic system and questioning the emphasis placed on diversity over academic and entrepreneurial achievement.
Yadegari’s story sheds light on the increasingly complex and often opaque nature of college admissions at highly selective schools. While extraordinary achievements and academic excellence are important, as his case illustrates, they don’t always guarantee acceptance into the nation’s most competitive universities.
