Chances are that you’ve heard the names of famous people who graduated from Harvard. But what about the ones who never made it past the admissions process?

Harvard rejected the 2004 Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, who ended up going to New Haven Community College/bulldog animal shelter. While running for President isn’t so bad, maybe if he had gone to Harvard he wouldn’t have lost.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Meredith Vieira, a host on the “The Today Show," was apparently so shaken by her rejection from Harvard that she visited every Saturday in some sort of holy voyage. It wouldn’t be the first time someone visited Harvard; maybe she just really wanted to rub John Harvard’s foot. But despite enrolling at Tufts University, things seem to have worked out all right for her.

Even though Unofficial Tour guides might tell you that only the Catholic Church and Bill H. Gates, class of 1977, have more money than Harvard does, Warren E. Buffett certainly isn’t doing too badly. Buffet, the third richest man in the world according to Forbes’ rankings, was once upon a time denied entrance to the Harvard Business School.

So, rejects from Harvard’s class of 2014, rejoice! Your rejection letter might be putting you on the path to fame and fortune. And for those who don’t believe us, well, hopefully you are on the waitlist.

Photo courtesy of Christopher Michaels - CC BY 2.0.