12-year-old boy earns 5 degrees from Fullerton College

The youngest student to ever graduate from California’s Fullerton College was a 12-year-old.

Clovis Hung, who enrolled in college at the age of 9, said that a spirit of friendly rivalry led him to do so. He claimed that he set out to equal the feat of Fullerton graduate Jack Rico, who at the age of 13 previously set the record for the college’s youngest graduation.

He said “I also wanted to be the youngest graduate. I didn’t expect to beat him”, according to Fullerton news station KABC.

Hung enrolled at Fullerton through the university’s Special Admit program, which allows anyone take classes for college credit. He also completed the homeschool curriculum taught by his mother.

In a cap and gown last month, Hung went across the stage with other Fullerton graduates, most of whom were at least ten years older than him.

He received five associate of arts degrees in history, social sciences, self-development and social behavior, arts and human expression, and science and mathematics. Next year, he stated, he wants to pursue another.

“Clovis is super inquisitive, mature, diligent, self-disciplined and highly motivated,” Hung’s mother, Song Choi, said “He is also very curious and traditional public schools could not satisfy his curiosity, therefore, the best option was college.”

Hung claimed that initially, he found it difficult to adjust to a traditional college experience but his new teachers and classmates provided him with a network of support. He added that everyone was happy to talk with him on the course topic and welcomed him with open arms.

“When I had questions, I asked them, and if they had questions, they’d ask me,” Hung said. “They treated me like a little brother.”

Several of his lecturers were concerned about how he would get along with his older peers but quickly realized he fit in perfectly.

“At first, I was a little worried about how he would relate to the other students given the age and developmental differences, however, those concerns were unfounded,” Fullerton Biology Professor Kenneth Collins said. “ Clovis has been a great mixture of ‘kid’ and college student.  He is mature enough that the other students take him seriously, but enough of a kid that they look after him like a younger brother and cheer him on.”

Hung has similar summer travel plans like many fresh graduates. In addition, he plays basketball five days a week, and is a Boy Scout working on badges.

“I also just joined the Civic Air Patrol and hope to get my pilot license at age 16,” he said.