Steven Spielberg applied to USC's prestigious film school and was rejected because of his mediocre grades. He applied again. Rejected. A third time. Rejected again. He enrolled at Cal State Long Beach instead, then went on to direct Jaws, Schindler's List, and Saving Private Ryan, becoming the most successful filmmaker in history. Years later, USC invited him to accept an honorary degree. He reportedly agreed on one condition: the person who had rejected him had to sign it.