Get All Access for $5/mo

Watch a Teenage Mark Zuckerberg React to Getting Into Harvard Witness the earliest beginnings of Facebook.

By Nina Zipkin

catwalker | Shutterstock
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg

Graduation season is upon us, and this year, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is one of the many high profile figures who was tapped to make a commencement speech -- at his erstwhile alma mater Harvard.

Zuckerberg famously left the respected institution of higher learning a few semesters short of being able to get his diploma in order to create the global force that is Facebook. Thirteen years and more than 1 billion users later, the decision seems like it worked for him.

Related: Watch Mark Zuckerberg Ask Fellow Harvard Dropout Bill Gates for Advice on His Harvard Commencement Speech

But even though he is one of biggest tech leaders today, not too long ago, Zuckerberg was just a teenager from suburban New York waiting to hear whether he got into his dream school.

This week, ahead of his return to Harvard to finally nab that degree and inspire the class of 2017, he posted a video his father took of him when he received his acceptance from the school.

Sitting on his bed, illuminated by the light of a now very outmoded computer, the 17-year-old Zuckerberg says, in a quiet, measured tone, "yay, I got accepted," while his dad cheers from behind the camera. And the rest is history.

Nina Zipkin

Entrepreneur Staff

Staff Writer. Covers leadership, media, technology and culture.

Nina Zipkin is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com. She frequently covers leadership, media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

Wells Fargo Reportedly Fired More Than a Dozen Employees for Faking Keyboard Activity

The bank told Bloomberg that it "does not tolerate unethical behavior."

Innovation

The Key to Real Innovation Is Cross-Pollination — Here Are 10 Ways to Implement It in Your Business

Transform your business with this unique approach to sparking innovation.

Business Models

5 Questions to Ask to Make Sure Your Company's Financial Plan Is on Track

Conducting a "check-up" at midyear is essential to maintain a healthy financial plan.

Leadership

7 Ways You Might Be Damaging Your Credibility as an Entrepreneur

Here are seven credibility killers entrepreneurs need to be aware of.

Business Solutions

Why Every Solopreneur Needs to Embrace AI-Powered Teams

With the right approach, solopreneurs can harness AI to drive efficiency, productivity and business growth.

Side Hustle

These Are the 10 Best Online Side Hustles of 2024 to Earn Extra Cash

From teaching to testing artificial intelligence, these side hustles can earn you quick cash from home.