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It sounds like the reason they have him in college at his age is for educational reasons. His social life seems to revolve around his extra-curricular activities and his same-age friends at home.

I believe that the more life experience you have, the more able you are to resist influence of others, may it be the views of an ultra-liberial professor, or a fellow student urging you to drink. I shudder to think of a 12 year old having to deal with this.

But, as pointed out by an dawn53's post, the student commutes to class and his mother is on campus with him. It doesn't seem that he would have any undue negative influences at college, as a result. It also appears that he has many friends his own age to play with at his home.

It seems like the best of both worlds for this fellow! Academic challenge and a full social life with friends his own age.

But,...based on what I read in the article, he *does* seem *very* well adjusted in college. He doesn't seem to be having any problems, especially when you read what the professors said about him in the classes.

No, homeschooling is not responsible for an incredibly high IQ, but it does allow profoundly gifted children to learn at their own speed- incredibly fast.

Did you read the article? It seems to contradict that idea. From what I read, especially about his spending time with his friends, he seems to have quite a normal childhood. The only difference seems to be *where* he goes to school. From the article: "Alex’s mother says he’s a “young man in a unique situation,” but defining him solely as a college student paints an incomplete picture. Life’s definitely not just textbooks and Bunsen burners. Alex’s extracurricular schedule is staggering at times. He has a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwan Do, and he takes violin lessons. He likes racquetball, fencing, and going hiking and camping with his father. Alex’s social life includes maintaining friends whose ages and locations are quite varied. “Friends I have made in college are usually through my classes,” he says. “I don’t have as much opportunity to develop those friendships — that long drive home interferes quite a bit. I like walking between classes and greeting several friends I know, and catching up with how their classes are going this semester or sitting with them in class, sharing jokes. It makes the campus seem smaller and friendlier.” Then there are friends his own age. Some are strictly “long distance” PG friends from all over the country, but Alex keeps in touch through phone calls and occasional visits. “The last one in Texas was a blast!” he says. “Six guys, ages 11 to 13, and a huge pillow fight. We also sat up half the night and most of the next day having a marathon Magic: The Gathering card game. It was great.” Alex is able to see his friends in Jackson more frequently. They keep busy inside on the computer, and outside playing basketball or riding scooters and skateboards."

I ran across this article in the recent Univ. of Memphis Alumni magazine about the same boy you commented on back in your April post where you said you saw them on campus. It sounds like he is well rounded, happy, *and* very athletic: 3rd degree black belt in Karate, fencing, racquetball, etc. He also doesn't appear from the photos to be exceptionally tall- he looks like he is 12. Perhaps you saw someone else that day? The article is found at the following location: http://www.memphis.edu/magazine/v20i2/feat4.html Perhaps early college for exceptional kids such as this young man is a good option. It also sounds like it could not have happened if he had not been homeschooled. Just a thought.