Joe Petraro-Hyppolite is only 13, but the Long Island teenager is already preparing for a milestone that usually comes much later in life: starting a master’s degree at New York University.
The Hewlett teenager has been accepted into an NYU master’s program and plans to begin after completing his undergraduate studies in 2027. According to CBS New York, Petraro-Hyppolite expects to finish his undergraduate degree in May next year before moving on to the graduate program.
His academic record has been remarkable from an early age. Petraro-Hyppolite scored 1,590 on the SAT when he was only 10 and obtained his high school diploma at 11. He is now pursuing his undergraduate education at Louisiana State University while preparing for his next academic move.
The teenager has reported an IQ of 168, a figure that has made him the subject of widespread attention. However, Petraro-Hyppolite has pushed back against the idea that his achievements mean learning comes effortlessly.
“It’s not like I was shot out the womb knowing everything I know,” he said. “I have to learn it once or twice. Then I’ll know.”
His upcoming graduate studies are expected to centre on sports management. He has also expressed interests in kinesiology and biology, showing that his academic ambitions extend across several fields.
For Petraro-Hyppolite, however, education is not limited to classrooms and examinations. CBS New York recently found him volunteering at a Five Towns nursing home, where he helped residents get home safely.
His mother, Anne Petraro-Hyppolite, said the speed of his academic progress has been difficult to comprehend.
“It’s just surreal,” she said, adding that her son “just loves to learn” and is “like a sponge.”
The teenager’s journey has not been without obstacles. His mother said he was previously placed in special education classes following a diagnosis of Tourette syndrome.
Now, with an undergraduate graduation ahead and NYU waiting beyond it, Petraro-Hyppolite is looking toward another major chapter.
He admitted that beginning at NYU could be nerve-racking but said he was excited about the possibilities.
“New doors are opening,” he said.
Petraro-Hyppolite eventually hopes to pursue paleontology, meaning his academic journey could continue well beyond his planned master’s degree.
