Zach Yadegari, the high school teen co-founder of Cal AI, is being hammered with comments on X after he revealed that out of 18 top colleges he applied

TechCrunch (TC) is a leading technology news and media site that covers the latest trends, startups, and innovations in the tech industry. With breaking news,  analysis, and expert commentary, TechCrunch provides  insights into the world of technology and entrepreneurship. Developers can learn about emerging technologies, funding opportunities, and market trends by following TechCrunch's coverage of the tech industry.

TechCrunch

Zach Yadegari, a high school student with a 4.0 GPA and co-founder of the viral AI calorie app Cal AI, was rejected by 15 out of 18 top universities despite his impressive academic and professional achievements. He attributes these rejections to his candid college essay, which many found arrogant. His essay emphasized his initial disinterest in college and his success as a self-taught coder. Despite the rejections, his post on X garnered varied perspectives and significant engagement. Yadegari is reflecting on his next steps, recognizing the importance of authenticity and community over solely financial success.

Teen with 4.0 GPA who built the viral Cal AI app was rejected by 15 top universities

The kid is an influencer. And he did this for content. His “million dollar app” is an app where you take a picture of a plate of food and computer vision guesses SIGNIFICANTLY wrong on the estimated calories. And his target demographic? Young impressionable men trying to get rich quick with “no-code apps”.

Not all influencers need to be from Harvard. He may drop out even if he gets in. He also doesn’t understand that learning is a privilege few can afford. He is better off creating content in a smaller place; at least the community can benefit.

Oh no… “Vibe Coding” isn’t a recognized skill. Ah well, moving on.

One thing people don’t know is, “Top universities” and Ivy Leagues care about students’ social status and background first. Having GPA 4.0 is questionable because it totally depends which school you are from, and building some app that doesn’t work properly isn’t enough for you to join the elites.