Now Reading: Paul Devlin rejected Harvard’s rejection letter in 1981
-
01
Paul Devlin rejected Harvard’s rejection letter in 1981
In 1981, Paul Devlin, then a high school senior, received a rejection letter from Harvard University. Spotting a grammatical error, he wrote back rejecting the rejection, mimicking the formal tone of university…
The Story in Brief
In 1981, Paul Devlin, then a high school senior, received a rejection letter from Harvard University. Spotting a grammatical error, he wrote back rejecting the rejection, mimicking the formal tone of university admissions. His mother sent a copy to The New York Times, which published it in its New Jersey section on May 31, 1981.
More than four decades later, the letter still circulates online and has been performed at public readings. Devlin, who later became an Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker and sports editor, wrote that he 'carefully reviewed' Harvard's rejection but could not accept it, ending with 'SEE YOU IN THE FALL!'
The Indian Opinion
In an age where rejection stings harder than ever, college admissions, job offers, even dating apps, Devlin's cheeky riposte is a refreshing reminder that wit costs nothing. The letter's viral afterlife proves that a clever comeback outlasts any rejection. The real test: can today's students, buried under application stress, still find the humour to fire back with such grace?
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
