A 13-year-old boy from Long Island, New York, is preparing to begin a master’s program at New York University next year, after completing academic milestones years ahead of the typical timeline.
Joe Petraro-Hyppolite has already earned his high school diploma, scored 1,590 out of 1,600 on the SAT at age 10 and pursued university-level studies at Louisiana State University.
According to CBS News New York, Joe plans to complete his undergraduate degree in May 2027 before beginning his master’s program at NYU. His graduate studies are expected to focus on sports management, with additional academic interests in kinesiology and biology.
The Times of India reported that Joe has a reported IQ of 168. During an interview with CBS News New York, Joe himself said, “My IQ is 168.”
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When asked about being considered a genius, Joe responded, “I am not biased, but, yeah, if you say so.” His age has made him stand out among his university classmates. Joe said older students sometimes look twice when they realize how young he is.
From a 1,590 SAT score to graduate school
Joe took the SAT at age 10 and scored 1,590, just 10 points below a perfect score. He received his high school diploma at 11 and subsequently continued his education at LSU.
He is now working toward completing his undergraduate degree before moving into graduate education at NYU.
Joe told CBS News New York that he is excited about the next stage of his education, although he acknowledged that beginning a master’s program at his age can be daunting.
“Yeah, I mean, who wouldn’t be? But then again, I am also excited, because new doors are opening,” he said.
CBS News New York reported that the typical age for starting a master’s program in the United States is 33, making Joe’s planned transition to graduate school unusually early.
His mother recalls an unusual educational journey
Joe’s academic path has included challenges as well as accelerated learning.
According to CBS News New York, Joe was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and was once placed in special education classes. His mother, Anne Petraro-Hyppolite, said his achievements have been difficult for the family to fully absorb.
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“He just loves to learn. He is like a sponge,” she told CBS News New York.
Joe has also emphasized that being academically gifted does not mean that everything comes naturally. “It’s not like I was shot out the womb knowing everything I know,” he told CBS News New York, explaining that he still has to learn and study material.
Beyond academics
Joe’s interests extend beyond his formal studies. He volunteers at a nursing home and has said he eventually wants to pursue paleontology. For now, his immediate goal is to complete his undergraduate degree before beginning graduate studies at NYU.
If his current plans remain on schedule, Joe could complete his master’s degree around the time he reaches the legal driving age, according to CBS News New York.