At just 13 years old, Joe Petraro-Hyppolite is preparing to begin a master’s program at New York University next fall, making him less than half the age of the typical U.S. master’s student. The Long Island teenager has already attended Louisiana State University and says he has an IQ of 168.
Despite his academic achievements, Petraro-Hyppolite also spends time helping others. On Wednesday, he volunteered at a Five Towns nursing home, assisting residents as they returned home. He said people often compare him to fictional child prodigies such as Young Sheldon and Doogie Howser when they learn about his abilities.
Petraro-Hyppolite’s upcoming studies at NYU will mark another step in an academic path that began years ahead of the typical timeline. His story has drawn attention because of both his age and his reported intellectual abilities.
