Entered College at Age 9, American 12-Year-Old Prodigy... Earned 5 Degrees and Became the Youngest Graduate

Youngest Graduate of Community College in the US
"Proud of What I Have Achieved"

A boy in the United States enrolled in a community college at the age of 9 and graduated with five degrees. Community colleges offer 2- to 3-year higher education programs, similar to vocational colleges in Korea.

According to foreign media including the New York Post on the 29th (local time), Clovis Hung (12) recently attended the graduation ceremony at Fullerton College in California as a graduate. Hung became the youngest graduate in the history of the school.

Hung, who entered the college at age 9, achieved the milestone of receiving associate degrees in five fields?history, social sciences, social behavior and self-development, arts and human expression, and science and mathematics?on the 20th. His GPA was 3.92.

Hung was initially nervous when attending lectures at the college but quickly adapted. He said, "I was deeply immersed in college life" and "I challenged myself to take more classes."

Clovis Hung, the youngest graduate of Fullerton College.
Photo by Yonhap News

The school offers a special admission program that allows students to take college courses while completing a homeschool curriculum, and Hung took college classes through this program.

Hung said, "I feel proud of what I have accomplished so far," adding, "When I had questions, I asked other students, and when they had questions, they asked me." He also said, "They treated me like a younger brother."

Hung’s mother, Song Choi, said in an interview with the college newsletter, "Hung is a very curious, mature, diligent, and highly self-motivated child."

Regarding the reason for enrollment, she explained, "Public schools could not satisfy my son's curiosity, so the best alternative was community college."

Some faculty members were initially concerned whether Hung could adapt to college life, but they soon realized those worries were unfounded. Kezys Collins, a biology professor at the college, said, "Hung is mature enough that other students take him seriously," adding, "He is a student who combines the advantages of being both a 'kid' and a college student."

Meanwhile, Hung recently joined the Civil Air Patrol and plans to obtain a pilot’s license by the time he turns 16.