Episode 9 of Season 4 of "Never Have I Ever" kicks off with Devi being taken aback by the revelation that she hadn't secured admission into any of the colleges she had eagerly applied to. Her mother, filled with concern, inquiries about her college admissions status. In an impulsive moment, Devi concocts a lie, informing her mother that she's been accepted into all the colleges she'd applied to. Nalini, elated by this supposed accomplishment, beams with pride, unaware of Devi's turmoil as she grapples with the abrupt twist her future has taken.
Devi sends another voice note to Akshara at Princeton, inquiring about her status on the waitlist. At school, Fabiola, unaware of the truth, congratulates Devi on her supposed IVY League triumphs and shares that Nalini has spread the joyous news far and wide. Fabiola envisions the trio living out their lifelong dreams, while Devi feels increasingly awkward among her friends, who are engrossed in their own endeavors to notice her discomfort.
Professor Warner delivers a stern warning to Ben: his Columbia admission is contingent upon submitting his assignments and focusing on his grades. She scorns him for placing trust in Trent's academic advice. Ben, panic-stricken, bolts out of the room to commence working on his assignments. In the hallway, Trent encounters Eleanor, and for the first time since their breakup, they engage in conversation. Eleanor confesses that she quit acting due to the industry's fierce competition and the plethora of talented actors still waiting for their big break. Trent suggests that if acting roles don't come, she should consider becoming a director. Eleanor appreciates the suggestion and expresses gratitude to Trent for his insight.
Devi confides in Professor Warner about her college rejections. The student counselor is astounded to learn that Devi hadn't applied to any backup colleges, limiting her choices solely to the IVY League. Professor Warner advises Devi to wait for the Princeton waitlist update and considers reapplying in the fall.
Meanwhile, at a robotics competition, Fabiola and the Sherman Oaks Robotics team impress Dr. Tye, a Harvard professor, with their AI-powered robot. He's so taken by Fabiola's ingenuity that he encourages her to consider Harvard as a potential college destination.
Back at Sherman Oaks High School, Principal Grubbs makes a school-wide announcement, celebrating Devi's fictional acceptance into every IVY League college she applied to. Devi's worry intensifies as her lie begins to propagate faster than she could have ever anticipated. She seeks refuge in a room, where she unexpectedly finds Ben. Instead of rectifying the errors stemming from her lie, Devi chooses to ignore them and dives into helping Ben with his assignment, hoping to momentarily escape the looming truth.
After school, Devi meticulously prepared for the Prom that awaited her in the evening. As she was about to depart, a call from Akshara at Princeton interrupted her. Akshara conveyed that to be considered for Princeton, Devi needed to submit another essay that truly reflected her identity. Devi was infuriated; she couldn't fathom why Princeton wouldn't accept her for who she was and instead demanded another essay, despite the one she had already submitted. Moreover, she learned that submitting another essay didn't guarantee her admission.
Devi's mother admired her Prom attire as she set out with Fabiola and Eleanor. Eleanor was apprehensive about sharing her decision to abandon acting and pursue a career as a director. Fabiola, on the other hand, was concerned that Devi would dislike the idea of them not being college roommates, as she aspired to attend Harvard instead of Princeton.
Devi, meanwhile, was terrified of informing her mother that she hadn't been accepted into any of the colleges she had applied to. The trio began indulging in alcohol in the backseat of the car, and Devi's sudden scream startled the driver, causing a minor accident. The mishap prompted Devi to confess to her friends that she hadn't been accepted into any college.
The driver left to search for a mechanic while the trio spent their Prom night discussing their respective dilemmas. Meanwhile, at the school, Paxton and Lindsay were assigned the duty of monitoring the bathrooms at Prom to ensure no students were smuggling liquor in. Paxton was taken aback by Lindsay's stunning appearance and couldn't resist flirting with her.
Devi and her friends decided they no longer wanted to attend the Prom and asked the driver to take them back home in the tow truck. Eleanor requested to be dropped off at Trent's house, where she unexpectedly encountered Ben. Ben learned about Devi's college rejection and rushed to her house to offer comfort. Eleanor confessed her love and longing for Trent, and they rekindled their romance with a kiss.
At school, Lindsay and Paxton engaged in a conversation about the realities of being a teacher. She shared how a particular teacher in her high school never gave up on her and inspired her to be that teacher for someone else. She praised Paxton for his efforts with Eric. Paxton asked Lindsay out before they were interrupted by students smoking salmon in the restroom.
Ben climbed into Devi's room through her window, just as Paxton had once done, and was amazed by the challenge it posed. He attempted to console Devi about the rejection and encouraged her to write the essay to see if she had a chance at Princeton. Devi was hesitant but Ben reminded her that Princeton had been her lifelong dream and she shouldn't abandon it.
The two eventually fell asleep in Devi's bed, discussing college applications. The next morning, Devi's mother stormed into her room, furious, and kicked Ben out. She scolded Devi for her mishaps with the college applications and for not having any backup plans. Devi tried to reason with her mother, Nalini, but Nalini called her stupid, shattering Devi's heart.
Devi sought solace from Dr. Ryan, expressing her feelings of failure. Dr. Ryan reminded Devi of her true self and gave her an inspiring pep talk. Meanwhile, Paxton called ASU and inquired about transferring to an Educator license degree. Motivated by Ben and Dr. Ryan, Devi decided to write her essay.
In her essay, Devi poured her heart out about losing her father and how the dream of attending Princeton was a way to reconnect with him, as the episode drew to a close.
