Who is Joe Petraro-Hyppolite the 13-year-old boy with 168 IQ?

At 13, most teenagers are school goers. Joe Petraro-Hyppolite, a teenager from Long Island, New York, is preparing for a very different academic milestone. He is set to begin a master's program at New York University next fall, according to a report by CBS News.

Joe has already earned a high school diploma, completed university-level studies and scored 1,590 on the SAT at the age of 10. His next step will take him into graduate education, where he expects to study sports management, along with kinesiology and biology. If he completes his master's as planned, he could graduate at around the same age that many teenagers are preparing to legally drive a car.

From a 1,590 SAT score at 10 to a master's at 13

Joe's academic record has attracted attention because of how early he reached milestones that usually come much later.

According to CBS News New York, he scored 1,590 on the SAT when he was just 10 years old. At 11, he earned his high school diploma. He then continued his education at Louisiana State University (LSU), where he has been working towards his undergraduate degree. Now, at 13, he has been accepted into a master's program at NYU.

"My master's is going to be sports management but other than \(that\) it's also kinesiology and biology," Joe told CBS News New York.

He is expected to begin the program next fall, after completing his undergraduate degree. He plans to finish his bachelor's in May next year. The typical age of a person starting a master's program in the US is 33, according to the figures cited in the CBS News New York report. Joe will be less than half that age when he begins his graduate studies.

“My IQ is 168”

During an interview with CBS News New York, Joe spoke about his IQ and the attention his academic achievements bring.

"My IQ is 168," he said. "So you're considered a genius," the reporter replied. "I am not biased, but, yeah, if you say so," Joe said. He also described the comparisons people make when they hear about his achievements."Whenever I tell people, it's like, 'Oh, Young Sheldon, Doogie Howser,'" he said, referring to the fictional young characters known for their exceptional intelligence.

Joe's age also stands out when he attends university. He said older students sometimes look twice when they realise how young he is.

His mother says every achievement feels surreal

Joe's academic journey has also included challenges. According to CBS News New York, he was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and was once placed in special education classes. His mother, Anne Petraro-Hyppolite, said his progress has been difficult to put into words. "It's just surreal. When he graduated high school so young, it was surreal, but this is ... everything he does is surreal," she said. "He just loves to learn.

He is like a sponge."

“Who wouldn't be nervous?” Joe on starting at NYU

Despite his achievements, Joe does not describe the next stage of his education as something that will necessarily be easy. When asked whether he felt nervous about beginning his master's, he acknowledged the challenge. "Yeah, I mean, who wouldn't be? But then again, I am also excited, because new doors are opening," he said. His planned master's will focus on sports management, while he also intends to study kinesiology and biology.

These subjects connect with his wider academic interests and his plans for the future.Joe has said he eventually wants to pursue paleontology. For now, however, his immediate goal is to complete his undergraduate degree before moving on to graduate school. If he follows his current plan, Joe will begin his master's next fall and finish it around the time he reaches the legal driving age.