Why a Teen Founder of a $30M ARR Startup Got Denied by Top Colleges — And What Your Teen Can Learn From It

Stanford

4/11/25

Zach Yadegari is an 18-year old who founded a startup that generates $30 million ARR. He says he had a 4.0 GPA, a 34 out of 36 on the ACT… and he got rejected by 15 of the 18 colleges he applied to, including Stanford, Harvard, Yale and WashU.

Zach recently shared his application essay on X and it’s generated almost 40 million views, so I want to weigh in.

For background, I’m a Stanford graduate, award-winning journalist, and Ivy admissions coach. My specialties are the personal statement and application strategy, and this year all 4 of my Ivy-qualified students got into Stanford (2 teens), Harvard or MIT.  Over the last 11 years, more than 80% of my top students have gotten into an Ivy-caliber school, or UC Berkeley or UCLA. (And no one built a $30m ARR startup in high school.)

When I read Zach’s essay online, I immediately knew what went wrong – and what your teen can do right.

Get Personal

A lot of Zach’s essay is not personal but rather sounds like a rehash of his resume.

Started coding at 7. Published first app at 12. Six-figure exit at 16. 

The reader never understands who Zach is – what drives him? Why does he like coding? Why did he build Cal AI, an app that helps people lose weight, and why pursue that cause out of everything he could’ve addressed on the planet?

Most importantly, what does he want to do with a college degree?

The more personal stories that teens can bring into the essay that demonstrate their motivation and vision, the more convincing the application.

Demonstrate Heart

While Zach is probably a wonderful human being, in this essay, he comes off as overly confident (he likens himself to a young Steve Jobs). 

He primarily presents his identity through his accomplishments, repeatedly talking about how much money he earned and how much money his businesses make. 

This type of approach may work well in a venture capital pitch, but it does not appeal to college admissions officers. 

Colleges care about the social fabric of their community, since so much of the learning happens outside of the classroom in informal social situations.

I’m sure Zach has many sides to his character, but in this essay  he doesn’t reveal much vulnerability or heart.

When I was at Stanford, my dormmates were genuinely kind, humble and generous. They cared about people for who they were, not for what they did. They were international piano competition winners and athletes on their way to the Olympics, but you would never know it from the way they carried themselves.

People, including admission officers, are drawn to those who show their humanity, foibles and all. You want your admission officer fighting for your application, not being turned off by the persona you portray.

Any time my students write something that could be construed as overly prideful, I have them re-write it, carefully crafting their accomplishments into language that reflects a balance of confidence and humility.

Colleges want caring, teachable contributors.

Champion a Cause

Zach is obviously a highly accomplished young man. 

However, lots of people applying to top schools are extraordinary achievers. 

I’ve had students invent everything from colon cancer drugs to solar-powered drones that help mitigate climate change. 

Many teens applying to elite schools can build companies that make a lot of money. 

If you were an admission officer and were evaluating two equally qualified candidates, wouldn’t you want to admit the one who uses their talent for good? There are so many things broken in our world — if someone can help save the planet, wouldn’t they be an incredibly attractive candidate for a university to invest in? 

When I was at my 25th reunion at Stanford, the college president literally said they admit students who will change the world. They’re not admitting people who just want to make a lot of money. 

Watch Your Overarching Message

If I were to summarize Zach’s essay, it’d be this: “People who go to college are blind followers. I’m amazing and built several successful companies without college. But I’m not satisfied with wealth and fame, so I want to go to college to improve my skills and learn from people.”

He spent the vast majority of his essay building a very strong case for not going to college, and only dedicated 2 sentences to explaining why he does want to go – to elevate his work and also learn from people, not screens and books.

But Zach can continue to teach himself skills as he always has, by watching YouTube. And he can learn from colleagues, mentors and coaches outside of college. 

There’s no compelling reason for him to go.

In Zach’s particular case, college admissions decisions actually worked as they should – after reading this essay, I don’t think college is the right place for Yadegari. 

He doesn’t need it and doesn’t seem to want it.

How to Actually Get into an Top University

Now for students who didn’t build a $30m ARR startup but still want to go to a top-tier school, here’s my advice: craft a personal statement that reveals who you really are, what you value, and your vision for helping the world. What is the social issue that you care about and want to solve? Is there a personal story that explains why?

Beyond that, demonstrate through humility and heart that you’d be a deeply caring member of the college community. There’s a reason why top colleges want teacher and counselor recommendations, and Stanford has an essay asking applicants to write letters to their future roommates. 

With the rise of AI and online learning, the role of college is evolving. You can learn almost anything for free online, so some of the greatest benefits of college are relationships: lifelong friends, partners, mentors, sponsors and the alumni network.

True relationships can’t be won with money or accolades  – they are forged through character. And that (on top of achievement) is what I help my students demonstrate in their essays.

My students come to me highly accomplished and driven. My coaching process is not just about getting them into top schools, though that happens, often. More importantly, I help them unlock meaningful insights about themselves: their superpowers, values and dreams. Then I help them communicate those insights with clarity and strength, so they inspire others to join their vision.  

That’s not just a college admissions skill. 

That’s a life skill.

—

Alice Chen uses the college preparation process to empower high performing teens with skills to achieve their dreams while building lives they love. Through bespoke, private coaching, she helps students unlock their full potential and thrive in college and beyond.

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