Rejection is a bitter pill to swallow, especially when it’s from a dream like Stanford University. For 17-year-old Indian entrepreneur Aaryan Singh Kushwah, the rejection letter didn’t mark the end of the road. Instead, it became a turning point, fueling his already extraordinary journey and sparking a viral discussion on how failure often lays the foundation for success.
Kushwah recently shared his “bittersweet” moment on social media, posting the rejection email alongside two snapshots of his entrepreneurial milestones.
Despite Stanford’s denial, his achievements speak volumes. His venture hit an impressive 220,000 users, recorded over 2 million impressions in a single day, and secured a $10,000 emergent grant. In his post, he reflected, “Tough loss but gotta come back stronger. Grateful I had the opportunity to apply, grateful I felt badly about the loss. All in God’s glory.”

The rejection letter, signed by Richard H Shaw, dean of admission and financial aid at Stanford, acknowledged the competitiveness of the admissions process and Kushwah’s exceptional application. Though it was a polite “no,” Kushwah’s story resonated deeply online, inspiring conversations about resilience and redefining success.
Social media exploded with reactions. Many praised Kushwah’s ability to channel disappointment into motivation. One user wrote, “God’s got a plan for you, man. Don’t lose momentum, keep on going.” Another chimed in, “Failure teaches you better lessons than any university. Good luck!”

Some saw the rejection as a blessing in disguise. “It’s all part of a bigger plan,” commented one supporter, while another encouraged him to try again: “The application process is overwhelming, but it teaches you so much. You’ve got this if you try again next year!”

A cheeky commenter joked, “You mean you already dropped out of Stanford? Congrats! Looks like it’s going well for you already.”

Kushwah’s story stands as a testament to resilience. While his dream of studying at Stanford is deferred, his entrepreneurial journey is soaring—and proving that success isn’t always found in Ivy League halls. Instead, it often emerges from grit, determination, and the courage to keep going.