IQ above 145, SAT score of 1580: Father shocked as valedictorian son faces rejection from Ivy league colleges

Imagine being the pride of your school, the valedictorian, with an impressive SAT score of 1580, a mind that works at a level above the 99.9th percentile, and a track record of achievements that would make anyone's resume sparkle. Now, imagine being rejected by every Ivy League school you apply to, with only one acceptance—one from your state's flagship public university. This is the reality for one father, who expressed his disbelief on Reddit after his son, a highly accomplished student, was rejected from prestigious institutions like Harvard, Yale, and MIT.

An Extraordinary Resume That’s Still Not Enough

This father's son had it all: top grades, an IQ of over 145, and a high school career filled with accomplishments. The young man didn’t just coast through high school; he soared. As valedictorian of a class of 476, he aced 18 Advanced Placement (AP) exams, scored 1580 on his SAT, and completed 11 dual-enrollment courses—each with top grades.

Beyond academics, he was a tech innovator, creating an online gaming website with 180,000 users per month, earning $3,100 through ad revenue. He also worked a paid internship at a local tech company, was the president of his Computer Science club, and contributed research to two papers while working alongside a Boston University professor for three summers.

Yet, despite these outstanding achievements, Ivy League universities closed their doors to him, leaving only one acceptance—University of Massachusetts Amherst, the state’s flagship public university.

A Reality Check on College Admissions

The father, who took to Reddit to express his shock, pointed out how competitive college admissions have become. Despite his son’s impressive resume, he faced rejection from every Ivy League school, including Columbia, Harvard, Yale, MIT, and Dartmouth. Multiple University of California campuses, including Berkeley and UCLA, also turned him down. The family is still awaiting a decision from Duke University.

This shocking turn of events has prompted the father to reflect on how the college admission process has changed over the years. He shared his own experiences, admitting that when he applied to colleges, the process seemed much simpler. Having come from a small town in North Alabama, he noted that getting into college wasn’t as competitive back in his day. "When I started work, it didn’t matter what college you went to," he wrote. "Now, it's all about Ivy League or bust."

The Increasing Weight of Prestige

The father's concerns extend beyond his son’s personal disappointment. He’s increasingly worried about the growing emphasis on college prestige. He now finds himself grappling with a system where students are judged not solely on their merits but on the college they attend. "I’m also deeply concerned for my son," he said. “From what he tells me, tech is not at all like finance, and that he’ll be able to get interviews at top tech companies despite going to UMass Amherst. But he’s still upset."

The father’s words resonate with many who have experienced similar struggles. Another parent commented on Reddit, sharing her own frustrations after her son, a valedictorian with 13 APs, was also rejected from Ivy League schools. Yet, the general consensus remains: getting into the most prestigious colleges no longer guarantees success. Students must now navigate an ultra-competitive system that places far more emphasis on brand prestige than on pure intellectual ability and ambition.

In the comment section, another parent expressed deep sympathy, acknowledging how disheartening the situation must be for the student. They argued that the issue isn’t just the competitiveness of college admissions but rather the rigid mindset of admissions officers, many of whom never attended the caliber of schools they now evaluate applicants for. They questioned how such individuals could truly understand what it takes to get accepted. Despite the frustration, they encouraged the student to stay motivated, emphasizing that driven individuals always find success as long as they don’t lose faith in hard work. Another added that facing such challenges can be beneficial, helping to build resilience—an essential trait for long-term success.