Bartleby Gaines faces rejection from all the colleges he applies to, leaving him in a desperate situation. To solve his predicament and avoid disappointing his parents, he creates a fake college, the South Harmon Institute of Technology (S.H.I.T.), with the help of his similarly rejected high school friends. They manage to lease an abandoned building and set up a website for prospective students, not anticipating the consequences of their actions.

Unexpectedly, hundreds of applicants flock to their fictitious institution, seeking an alternative to traditional academia. To maintain the ruse and avoid legal trouble, the group improvises a unique, student-driven curriculum that encourages creative learning and personal growth. Their unconventional methods gain popularity, attracting attention and scrutiny from nearby Harmon College. Bartleby and his friends must navigate these challenges while grappling with questions about authenticity, ambition, and the true purpose of higher education.