At Just 13, Academic Prodigy With 168 IQ Prepares For Master’s Degree At New York University

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 despite still completing his undergraduate studies.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Petraro-Hyppolite, who reportedly has an IQ of 168, is expected to complete his undergraduate degree in May 2027 before proceeding with the master’s programme.

The teenager has already recorded several remarkable academic achievements. He reportedly scored 1,590 on the SAT at the age of 10 and earned his high school diploma when he was just 11.

Petraro-Hyppolite revealed that he has been accepted into a master’s programme in sports management, with additional academic interests in kinesiology and biology.

“My master’s is going to be sports management but other than that it’s also kinesiology and biology,” he said.

Despite his accelerated academic journey, the teenager admitted that the prospect of taking on another advanced programme comes with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

“Yeah, I mean, who wouldn’t be? But then again, I am also excited, because new doors are opening,” he said.

Petraro-Hyppolite has previously studied at Louisiana State University and currently attends classes alongside students who are considerably older than him.

His mother, Anne Petraro-Hyppolite, said his academic progress was particularly remarkable because he had previously been placed in special education classes following a diagnosis of Tourette syndrome.

The teenager, however, explained that his academic abilities have not meant that learning comes effortlessly to him. He said he still has to study and work to understand new concepts.

“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 academic pursuits, Petraro-Hyppolite volunteers at a nursing home in Long Island. Despite his growing interest in sports management, kinesiology and biology, he said he hopes to eventually pursue a career in palaeontology.

His unusual academic journey has attracted attention because of the young age at which he has reached university-level education and secured a place in a graduate programme.