Rigid Ivy Admissions Miss $30M App Founder's Real-World Success

Zach Yadegari, an 18-year-old Long Island native, has become a lightning rod in the debate over the value of traditional higher education. The self-taught coder and co-founder of Cal AI, a calorie-tracking app valued at $30 million, was rejected by 15 of the 18 colleges he applied to-including all eight Ivy League institutions, Stanford, MIT, and Columbia-despite a 4.0 GPA and a 34 ACT score. His journey, marked by entrepreneurial grit and a rejection of conventional academic pathways, has sparked a broader conversation about how institutions evaluate unconventional candidatesGen Z coder rejected by the Ivy League despite founding a $30 …^[4].

Cal AI, launched in May 2024, uses artificial intelligence to analyze food photos and estimate calorie counts with 90% accuracyCal AI: How a teenage CEO built a fast-growing calorie-tracking …^[2]. The app, which charges $2.49 per month or $29.99 annually, has grown from $8 million in revenue in September 2024 to $34 million in May 2025, fueled by aggressive marketing and a team of 17 employeesHow Cal AI hit $34M revenue with a 17 person team in …^[1]. Yadegari, who began coding at age 7 and taught himself the AP Computer Science curriculum by 8th grade10 Lesser-Known Zach Yadegari Facts: Cal AI Co-founder^[3], has invested $130,000 of his own earnings into the ventureLI teen tech whiz Zach Yadegari -- creator of $30M …^[5].

Despite his success, Yadegari's college applications were met with rejection letters from elite institutions, a decision he attributes to rigid admissions criteria that fail to recognize entrepreneurial achievementsGen Z coder rejected by the Ivy League despite founding a $30 …^[4]. "College admissions tries to place students in a very tight box," he told Fox News, arguing that unconventional paths are undervaluedLI teen tech whiz Zach Yadegari -- creator of $30M …^[5]. The only schools to accept him were Georgia Tech, the University of Texas, and the University of Miami, which he ultimately chose for its social environmentWho is Zach Yadegari? An 18-year-old rejected by Ivy Leagues, … ( times.com/education/news/who-is-zach-yadegari-an-18-year-old-rejected-by-ivy-leagues-now-the-founder-of-a-million-dollar-ai-empire/articleshow/124515308.cms)^[6].

Yadegari's decision to attend the University of Miami, where he initially enrolled in the business school but later switched to philosophy, reflects his belief in balancing practical experience with personal growth. "I'm 18. I want to hang out with other 18-year-olds," he saidGen Z coder rejected by the Ivy League despite founding a $30 …^[4]. Yet he remains skeptical about the long-term value of college for most students, calling it "not worth it for most people"Gen Z coder rejected by the Ivy League despite founding a $30 …^[4]. His perspective is shaped by his own experience: by age 14, he had sold a gaming website, Totally Science, for six figures10 Lesser-Known Zach Yadegari Facts: Cal AI Co-founder^[3], and by 16, he was building apps to solve personal fitness challenges.

The Cal AI story is emblematic of a new generation of Gen Z entrepreneurs leveraging AI and digital tools to disrupt traditional industries. Yadegari's app, which competes with established players like MyFitnessPal, has 8.3 million downloads and aims to expand its user base through targeted hiring and feature rolloutsCal AI: How a teenage CEO built a fast-growing calorie-tracking …^[2]. The startup's financials are equally striking: it spends $770,000 monthly on advertising and marketingCal AI: How a teenage CEO built a fast-growing calorie-tracking …^[2], yet maintains a 325% year-over-year revenue growthHow Cal AI hit $34M revenue with a 17 person team in …^[1].

Yadegari's rise has also highlighted tensions within the AI startup ecosystem. While companies like OpenAI and Anthropic dominate headlines with $300 billion and $61.5 billion valuations, smaller ventures like Cal AI demonstrate the democratization of innovation. Yadegari's rejection by Ivy League schools has reignited debates about how admissions committees weigh extracurricular achievements versus academic metricsGen Z coder rejected by the Ivy League despite founding a $30 …^[4]. "Entrepreneurial accomplishments may not be fully appreciated," he noted, echoing concerns from educators and investors about the evolving role of higher educationTop AI Startups by Valuation: Who’s Winning in 2025?^[9].

Looking ahead, Yadegari plans to run Cal AI for two more years before selling or passing it on, allowing him to pursue new ventures in AICal AI: How a teenage CEO built a fast-growing calorie-tracking …^[2]. His trajectory challenges the notion that formal education is a prerequisite for success in the tech world. "Skills often outweigh formal education," a Mirror Review article observed, framing Yadegari as a model for Gen Z innovators10 Lesser-Known Zach Yadegari Facts: Cal AI Co-founder^[3].

As the AI startup landscape continues to evolve, Yadegari's story underscores a shifting paradigm: practical experience, digital literacy, and problem-solving are increasingly valued over traditional credentials. Whether his approach will redefine career paths for his peers remains to be seen, but his impact on the conversation is undeniable.

---