13-year-old with 168 IQ set for NYU master’s

Agency Report

A 13-year-old Long Island boy with an IQ of 168 is set to begin a master’s programme at New York University next year, despite still completing his undergraduate degree.

Joe Petraro-Hyppolite is expected to graduate with his bachelor’s degree in May 2027 before beginning the NYU master’s programme in sports management.

According to CBS News, Petraro-Hyppolite has already achieved several academic milestones at an unusually young age. He scored 1,590 on the SAT at 10 and obtained his high school diploma at 11.

His master’s programme will focus on sports management, with additional studies in kinesiology and biology.

Petraro-Hyppolite said he was excited about the next stage of his education, although he admitted to feeling nervous about the challenge ahead.

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

The teenager has previously attended Louisiana State University and currently studies alongside students considerably older than him.

He said some students were surprised when they discovered his age.

His mother, Anne Petraro-Hyppolite, said her son’s academic journey was particularly remarkable because he had previously been placed in special education classes after being diagnosed with Tourette syndrome.

She described his progress as “surreal”, adding that he had a strong appetite for learning.

“He just loves to learn. He is like a sponge,” she said.

Despite his academic achievements, Petraro-Hyppolite said his abilities did not mean that everything came naturally to him.

“I have to learn it once or twice. Then I’ll know,” he said.

Outside the classroom, the teenager volunteers at a nursing home in the Five Towns area of Long Island, where he helps residents.

Petraro-Hyppolite said he eventually hopes to pursue a career in palaeontology.

If he completes the NYU master’s programme as planned, he would graduate at roughly the same time he becomes legally eligible to drive.