Zach Yadegari, an 18-year-old entrepreneur, has captured global attention after being rejected by several Ivy League and top American universities despite his remarkable academic and entrepreneurial achievements.
Yadegari, who boasts a perfect 4.0 GPA and a strong ACT score of 34, is the founder and CEO of Cal AI, a revolutionary nutrition-tracking app that uses artificial intelligence to help users track their calorie intake simply by taking pictures of their meals.
His story has ignited a heated debate about the college admissions process and the value of traditional higher education versus real-world experience.
Academic Excellence and College Rejections
Despite his academic excellence and entrepreneurial success, Zach Yadegari faced rejection from 15 out of 18 universities to which he applied. This list includes some of the most prestigious institutions in the United States, such as Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania. His rejection sparked an online debate, with many questioning how someone with his credentials could be denied admission.
Yadegari took to social media to share his experience, listing the schools that had rejected him and the three that accepted him: Georgia Tech, the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), and the University of Miami (UMiami). His post quickly went viral, garnering over 11.9 million views.
My personal statement pic.twitter.com/X0SOwcpMzU
— Zach Yadegari (@zach_yadegari) April 1, 2025
While some sympathized with him and criticized the college admissions system, others pointed out that elite universities often look beyond grades and test scores, seeking candidates who fit their institutional values and culture. Some users speculated that Yadegari’s decision to forgo traditional extracurricular activities in favor of building businesses may not have aligned with what Ivy League schools prioritize.
The Rise of Cal AI and Entrepreneurial Success
Yadegari’s rejection from top universities did not deter him. Instead, he focused on expanding his business, Cal AI, which he had started as a teenager. The app leverages artificial intelligence to analyze food images, providing users with accurate calorie counts and nutritional information. This innovative approach to diet tracking has gained significant traction, earning Cal AI a valuation of $30 million in a short span of time.
Yadegari’s journey into the tech world began early. He taught himself to code at the age of seven, and by ten, he was charging $30 an hour for coding lessons. By the time he turned 14, he had launched a gaming website that generated $60,000 annually. At 16, he made a six-figure business exit, demonstrating an exceptional ability to build and scale companies at a young age.
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Unlike many of his peers who pursued college degrees, Yadegari chose to move to San Francisco to focus on building Cal AI. He has credited YouTube as his primary educational resource, stating that it taught him everything from programming to filing LLC taxes. His unconventional learning path highlights the growing debate about whether self-directed learning and hands-on experience can be more valuable than formal education.
Debate on Traditional Education vs. Real-World Experience
Yadegari’s story has reignited discussions about the relevance of traditional education in today’s digital economy. While universities remain a gateway to prestigious careers, many argue that real-world experience and entrepreneurial skills can be equally, if not more, valuable.
Tech industry leaders like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel have often emphasized that a college degree is not a prerequisite for success, especially in the startup ecosystem.
Critics of the college admissions process argue that it often overlooks talented individuals who do not conform to traditional academic or extracurricular expectations. Yadegari’s case serves as an example of how innovation and self-motivation can lead to success outside the confines of a university education.
However, others argue that higher education provides critical thinking skills, networking opportunities, and a structured learning environment that cannot be replicated through self-learning alone. The debate continues, with Yadegari’s journey serving as a case study for aspiring entrepreneurs questioning the necessity of a college degree.
Despite his rejections, Yadegari remains optimistic about his future. He continues to grow Cal AI and inspire young entrepreneurs worldwide. His story challenges conventional wisdom about success and raises important questions about the evolving landscape of education and career paths in the digital age.