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13-year-old prodigy with 168 IQ pursues master's degree at NYU

Joe Petraro-Hyppolite from Long Island is challenging conventional academic timelines by enrolling in a master's program at New York University while still in his early teens. The exceptionally gifted student completed high school at age 11 and achieved near-perfect SAT scores by age 10.

LSN India · 18 September 2026

13-year-old prodigy with 168 IQ pursues master's degree at NYU

At 13 years old, Joe Petraro-Hyppolite has already accomplished what most students spend their twenties pursuing. The Long Island resident is currently enrolled in a master's program at New York University, continuing an academic trajectory that has consistently defied age-based expectations.

Petraro-Hyppolite's intellectual abilities became apparent early. He completed his high school education at just 11 years old, bypassing the typical teenage years of secondary schooling. His standardized test performance further underscored his exceptional aptitude, with a near-perfect SAT score of 1590 achieved by age 10.

Currently, the teenager is pursuing interdisciplinary studies encompassing sports management, kinesiology, and biology at NYU. He is on track to complete his undergraduate degree by spring, adding another milestone to an already remarkable academic record. His selection for advanced-level coursework at a prestigious university reflects recognition of his intellectual capabilities among academic institutions.

Petraro-Hyppolite's case exemplifies the challenges faced by intellectually gifted young people in navigating educational systems designed for age-based cohorts. His progression through multiple degree levels while still in early adolescence raises broader questions about how educational institutions accommodate exceptional students seeking to advance at their own pace.