In a feat that is truly “ses”ational, a 9-year-old prodigy from Collegeville, Pennsylvania, is making history by becoming the youngest person ever to take a class at Ursinus College. While most of his peers are navigating the fourth grade, Aiden Wilkins is already sitting in a college lecture hall, a testament to his exceptional intellect and boundless curiosity.
Aiden’s journey into higher education began after his mother, Veronica Wilkins, noticed his extraordinary abilities at an early age. “He could just read them when most kids at my age, at like two, could barely even speak,” she told a local news outlet, referring to his ability to read traffic signs. His fascination with the human brain began at age three, and he’s since set his sights on a clear goal: becoming a pediatric neurosurgeon.
A high school sophomore at Reach Cyber Charter School, Aiden now splits his time between his online coursework and his in-person classes at Ursinus College, where he is taking courses in neuroscience. College officials have been impressed by the young student’s maturity and academic focus. According to Kelly Sorensen, the associate provost for academic affairs at Ursinus, Aiden showed up for his first visit “in a snazzy suit and tie, curious and eager to talk about glial cells and neuroplasticity—and even Shakespeare.”
Aiden’s remarkable achievement is not just about setting records; it’s also about pursuing his passion. “The reason why I want to be a pediatric neurosurgeon is mainly because I like helping kids around my age,” he said. “It’s sad to see kids around my age with neuro-disabilities, so I want to help them out.”
With his sights set on a career in medicine, many are wondering if Aiden will one day break the record for the youngest doctor, currently held by Balamurali Ambati, who graduated at the age of 17. Regardless of what the future holds, Aiden’s journey is a powerful reminder that with a thirst for knowledge and a clear purpose, age is just a number.
