By Gloria Drealomalicha
A 13-year-old boy from Long Island, New York, Joe Petraro-Hyppolite, is set to begin a master’s programme at New York University (NYU), an academic milestone he is reaching years earlier than most graduate students.
Petraro-Hyppolite, who has an IQ of 168, reportedly scored 1,590 out of 1,600 on the SAT at the age of 10 and earned his high school diploma a year later.
He has also studied at Louisiana State University and is currently completing his undergraduate degree.
The teenager has been accepted into NYU’s master’s programme in sports management, with additional studies in kinesiology and biology. He is expected to complete his undergraduate degree in May next year.
Reflecting on his academic abilities, Petraro-Hyppolite said: “My IQ is 168.”
Asked whether that meant he was considered a genius, he responded: “I am not biased, but, yeah, if you say so.”
Despite his remarkable academic record, the teenager admitted that he was nervous about beginning his studies at NYU.
“Yeah, I mean, who wouldn’t be? But then again, I am also excited, because new doors are opening,” he said.
His mother, Anne Petraro-Hyppolite, said her son’s achievements were particularly striking given his earlier educational experience.
According to her, Petraro-Hyppolite was placed in special education classes after he was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome.
“It’s just surreal. When he graduated high school so young, it was surreal, but this is … everything he does is surreal,” she said. “He just loves to learn. He is like a sponge.”
Petraro-Hyppolite, however, said his abilities did not mean that he simply knew everything without having to study.
“It’s not like I was shot out the womb knowing everything I know. I have to learn it once or twice. Then I’ll know,” he said.
Beyond his current academic pursuits, the teenager hopes to build a career in paleontology.
If he follows his current academic path, he could complete his master’s degree at around the same time he reaches the legal driving age.
His journey has already taken him from special education classes to university-level study, with his latest milestone set to take him to one of America’s most prominent universities at just 13.
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