Teen with 4.0 GPA & Viral AI App Rejected by Top Universities

Cal AI Founder Faces Rejection from Top Universities

Zach Yadegari, a teenage co-founder of Cal AI, has sparked considerable discussion on X (formerly Twitter) after disclosing that he received rejection letters from 15 of the 18 prestigious colleges to which he applied.

Academic Achievements and Entrepreneurial Success

Yadegari maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school and achieved a score of 34 on the ACT, exceeding the benchmark of 31 considered a top score. He believes his college essay was a significant factor in the decisions.

He is the co-founder of Cal AI, a rapidly growing AI-powered calorie-tracking application. Yadegari reports the app is generating millions in revenue, projecting an annual recurring revenue of $30 million.

Previous Ventures and Initial Disinterest in College

Prior to Cal AI, Yadegari successfully sold a web gaming company for $100,000. Initially, he had no intention of pursuing higher education.

A summer spent at a San Francisco hacker house, focused on developing the Cal AI prototype, led him to reconsider. He realized that foregoing college might mean missing out on a crucial aspect of his young adulthood.

The Content of the Application Essay

Yadegari’s essay openly discussed his initial disinterest in college and detailed his financial success as a self-taught coder. He explained how venture capitalists and mentors had previously encouraged him to forgo traditional education.

However, he described a shift in perspective, stating, “In my rejection of the collegiate path, I had unwittingly bound myself to another framework of expectations.” He realized he was simply replacing one set of external influences with another.

He expressed a desire to learn from human interaction, not solely from books and online resources. He wanted college to “elevate the work I have always done.”

His essay concluded with a statement about contributing to a larger community and making a positive impact on the world.

Rejection and Viral Response

Despite his impressive credentials and accomplishments, Yadegari was denied admission to institutions including Stanford, MIT, Harvard, Columbia, Princeton, Duke, and Cornell. He was accepted by Georgia Tech, the University of Texas, and the University of Miami.

His post detailing the rejections quickly went viral, garnering over 22 million views, 2,700 retweets, and 3,600 comments.

Reactions to the Essay and the College Admissions Process

Many commenters criticized the essay as being arrogant. Others directed their frustration towards the college admissions system itself.

A common observation was that colleges prioritize applicants who demonstrate a genuine enthusiasm for learning and a commitment to completing their degrees. Yadegari’s essay suggested he was not entirely convinced of the value of attending college.

Insights from Garry Tan of Y Combinator

Garry Tan of Y Combinator shared his own experience, revealing he faced similar rejection and waitlist issues due to his essays, which were influenced by Ayn Rand’s “The Fountainhead” and Objectivist philosophy.

Reflections and Future Plans

Yadegari stated he is still considering his options and was surprised by the widespread response to his post. He emphasized his desire to be perceived as authentic in his application.

He also shared that he has come to understand that financial success is not the ultimate measure of achievement. He now values relationships and community involvement.