'Accepted' with Emily Wright, Laura Smyles, and Kevin Stoller

What if a group of students created their own college because no one else would accept them?

That’s exactly what happens in the 2006 movie Accepted, where a handful of students—rejected by every school they applied to—decide to take matters into their own hands. They invent a fake university, build a website, rent a building, and unknowingly attract hundreds of other students who also felt pushed out by the traditional system. What starts as a lie quickly transforms into something surprisingly real: a student-led, curiosity-driven learning environment where everyone is accepted for who they are.

On the surface, it’s a comedy. But underneath the jokes and wild antics is a powerful question that feels more relevant today than it did nearly 20 years ago: Is college really necessary for every student—or has the system become more about tradition and conformity than about helping kids thrive?

In this episode of the Better Learning Podcast, we explore the message behind Accepted and how it mirrors a growing sentiment in education: that we need to rethink what success looks like, who gets to define it, and how we create learning environments that put students first. Whether you're an educator, parent, school leader, or just someone who’s ever asked “Why do we do it this way?”, this episode is for you.

 

Takeaways:

• While the movie delivers plenty of laughs, it also challenges the rigid, one-size-fits-all structure of traditional higher education. It asks: What happens to students who don’t fit the mold?
• With rising tuition costs, student debt, and alternative career paths, many students today are questioning the traditional college route. Accepted sparks conversations about whether higher education is serving students—or just serving the system.
• The fictional South Harmon Institute of Technology thrives because students have control over their learning. This aligns directly with modern education movements that prioritize student agency, passion-based learning, and flexible pathways to success.
• At its core, Accepted is about belonging. When students feel safe, supported, and seen, they’re more likely to engage, take risks, and grow. That’s a message that transcends comedy and it’s the foundation of good education.

 

 

References from the Episode:

Malcolm Gladwell – Why You Shouldn’t Go to Harvard

Differing Minds: Considering Neurodiversity in Educational Spaces

 

 

About Emily Wright:

Emily J. Wright is a registered architect with over 15 years of experience, an undergraduate degree in biochemistry, a background in clinical psychology, and experience teaching English abroad. Although neurotypical herself, her father, brother, husband, and their three children are neurodivergent. She believes buildings and spaces have a profound impact on our functioning and well-being.

 

Learn More About Emily Wright:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-wright-aia-leed-ap-69a91781/

 

 

About Laura Smyles:

Laura Smyles has over 12 years of experience as an Architect and Educational Planner with Grimm + Parker. As the daughter of a 25-year-long career public school teacher, she brings her unique perspective to educational design along with her direct experience of working with several school systems across the DMV. Mom to three under 5, she is especially familiar with the importance of creating an environment that improves emotional regulation - for kids and adults alike.

 

Learn More About Laura Smyles:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-smyles-aia-well-ap-251b9945/

 

 

 

Learn More About Grimm + Parker Architects:

Website: https://www.grimmandparker.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grimm---parker-architects/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GandPArchitects

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gp_architects/

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