Summary:
Zach Yadegari made $30 million through his tech startup in just one year.
Rejected by 15 of 18 top universities, including Harvard and MIT.
Started coding at age 7, launched his first app by 12.
Only accepted by Georgia Tech, UT, and UMiami.
Entrepreneurial accomplishments may not be valued in college admissions.
Teen millionaire Zach Yadegari has stirred up a storm with his remarkable story of entrepreneurship and college rejections. Despite launching a tech startup that generated $30 million in just one year, he was turned down by 15 out of 18 prestigious universities, including top names like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT.
Zach's Background
At just 18 years old, Zach Yadegari, a standout student from Roslyn High School, has an impressive academic record with a 4.0 GPA and an ACT score of 34. He started coding at the tender age of 7, began teaching others by 10, and launched his first app by 12. His latest venture, Cal AI, which calculates calories in meals using photos, now brings in tens of millions of dollars annually.
The Rejection
Despite his achievements, elite institutions like Princeton, Yale, Columbia, and Duke turned Zach away. He was only accepted by Georgia Tech, the University of Texas, and the University of Miami. He expressed that the rejection from Stanford was particularly painful, saying, “I didn’t expect to be accepted to all of these colleges, but I did expect to at least be accepted to a couple of the top schools.”
A Shift in Perspective
In his personal statement, Zach reflected on his journey, stating, “I began my own journey fiercely independent, determined to forge my own path.” He believes that entrepreneurial accomplishments may not be fully appreciated in college admissions. Critics have suggested that his personal statement didn’t adequately explain how college would benefit him, which Zach disputes, feeling that real-world business success should be valued more than traditional extracurricular activities.
The Broader Debate
Zach's experience has ignited a discussion about the relevance of college for startup founders. Some commenters on social media questioned whether college is necessary for entrepreneurs, while others encouraged Zach, suggesting that one day, the universities may come to him for his talents.
Zach plans to attend one of the schools that accepted him but is uncertain if he will complete the full course. “I’m going to build relationships,” he said. “When I feel ready for the next step, I’ll take it.”
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