13-year-old with 168 IQ to pursue master’s in New York

In Long Island, New York, a 13-year-old boy named Joe Petraro-Hyppolite is embarking on a master's programme at New York University next year, according to CBS News. Joe, who boasts an IQ of 168, is currently working on completing his undergraduate degree and is set to graduate in May 2027.

Joe has already achieved remarkable academic milestones at a young age. At 10, he scored an impressive 1,590 on the SAT, and at 11, he obtained his high school diploma. CBS News reported that Joe has been accepted into an NYU master's programme in sports management, which will also cover kinesiology and biology.

Despite his academic successes, Joe expressed both excitement and nervousness about the upcoming master's programme. "My master's is going to be sports management but other than [that] it's also kinesiology and biology," Joe said. "Yeah, I mean, who wouldn't be? But then again, I am also excited, because new doors are opening."

Joe has also attended Louisiana State University and currently studies alongside older students. When his age is revealed to fellow students, they often react with surprise. His mother, Anne Petraro-Hyppolite, explained that Joe's academic progress is particularly noteworthy because he was previously placed in special education classes after being diagnosed with Tourette syndrome.

Anne emphasized that her son's achievements are a testament to his passion for learning. "It’s surreal. When he graduated high school so young, it was surreal, but this is … everything he does is surreal. He just loves to learn. He is like a sponge," she said.

Despite his remarkable abilities, Joe noted that not everything comes easily to him. "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," Joe said.

In his free time, Joe volunteers, including helping residents at a nursing home in the Five Towns area of Long Island. Looking ahead, he hopes to pursue a career in paleontology. If he completes the master's programme as planned, he would graduate around the same time he becomes legally eligible to drive.