Joe Petraro-Hyppolite, 13, to pursue master's degree at NYU

Joe Petraro-Hyppolite, a 13-year-old from Long Island, New York, is preparing to enter a master's program at New York University (NYU) next fall. Possessing an IQ of 168, he graduated high school at age 11 and achieved an SAT score of 1,590 out of 1,600 when he was 10.

His academic success follows significant personal challenges. During his childhood, he was diagnosed with lymphocytic leukemia, Tourette syndrome, dyslexia, and severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). He also faced prolonged bullying and was previously placed in special education classes due to communication difficulties and involuntary movements.

After receiving professional evaluations in the third grade, his family transitioned him to a school that allowed for self-paced learning. Following his high school graduation, he pursued online studies at Louisiana State University (LSU).