Zach Yadegari, A New York-based 18-year-old CEO and co-founder of the rapidly growing AI-powered calorie tracking app, Cal AI, has sparked a nationwide debate after revealing his widespread rejection from top-tier universities, despite boasting a flawless 4.0 GPA and a successful multi-million dollar business.

Yadegari took to social media platform X earlier this week to share his surprising outcome, listing 15 prestigious institutions, including Harvard, Stanford, Yale, MIT, Columbia, and Princeton, among those that declined his application. This revelation has ignited a firestorm of discussion online, with many questioning the current college admissions system and its priorities.

Cal AI, the app Yadegari launched during his junior year of high school, has quickly become a sensation, utilizing artificial intelligence to analyze food images and monitor calorie consumption.

The company reportedly generates an impressive $30 million in annual recurring revenue, a testament to Yadegari’s entrepreneurial drive and technical acumen. He began coding at the age of seven and had already sold a successful online gaming business by the age of 16.

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Despite his exceptional academic record, including a near-perfect score of 34 on the ACT, Yadegari’s application faced numerous rejections.

He recounted his journey of self-teaching coding, launching successful ventures, and ultimately moving to San Francisco to build Cal AI. However, he also described a turning point during a visit to a rock garden in Kyoto, where he began to see college as an opportunity for learning and personal growth beyond the scope of his current experiences.

Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian was among those who expressed surprise at the rejections, calling the situation “nuts.” Many others echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Yadegari’s accomplishments far outweigh what many traditional college applicants can offer.

However, some online discussions also raised questions about the holistic review process employed by many top universities, which considers factors beyond just academic achievements and entrepreneurial success.

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In response to the online debate, Yadegari stated that his primary motivation for attending college was to experience the social aspects of university life. He also posted an “open letter to admission offices,” advocating for a more meritocratic system and questioning the emphasis on diversity over achievement.

The case of Zach Yadegari highlights the increasingly complex and often opaque nature of college admissions at highly selective institutions. While exceptional academic performance and significant achievements are undoubtedly important, they do not guarantee acceptance into the nation’s most competitive universities.

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