Edison, New Jersey Teen Saheela Ibraheem Headed To Harvard With Aspirations Of Becoming Scientist And Study The Brain

Saheela Ibraheem, 15, Headed To Harvard With Aspirations Of Becoming Scientist

Edison, N.J. Resident Also Accepted At Princeton, Columbia, MIT

May 4, 2011 9:30 PM

Saheela Ibraheem (credit: CBS 2)

Reporting Cindy Hsu

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Local, News, NJ News, Seen On CBS 2HD, Watch + Listen

EDISON, N.J. (CBS 2) — Many parents dream of their children going to Harvard one day. But one local resident has actualized the goal of getting into the prestigious university — at 15 years old!

Saheela Ibraheem, of Edison, was also accepted to MIT and 13 other schools, including Princeton and Columbia before settling on Harvard after falling in love with the campus.

Ibraheem skipped two grades and said the key to success is figuring out what you love to learn as early as possible — something she did at age 5.

“If you are passionate about what you do, and I am passionate about most of these things, especially with math and science, it will work out well,” Ibraheem told CBS 2′s Cindy Hsu.

Her mother, Shakirat Ibraheem, said Saheela has been way ahead of the academic game since kindergarten — never cutting corners and trying to do everything on her own.

“She’s like always independent,” the teen’s mother said. “I never get to help with her homework because she’d say ‘it’s my work mommy, not yours.’”

The Harvard-bound teen speaks Arabic, Spanish and Latin. She said she hopes to become a research scientist and study the brain.

Ibraheem’s teachers at The Wardlaw-Hartridge School said their student was an old soul.

“I believe that she’s 15 years old, because I’m told that. But other than that I have a hard time,” Jim O’Halloran said.

In addition to academics, Ibraheem plays the trombone, softball and soccer. Despite her activities, Ibraheem said her number one priority was her family. Her 7-year-old brother Saleem was her biggest cheerleader when it came to picking a college.

“I was really psyched because she got into a great school and I wanted to go to Harvard, too,” her brother said.

As far as Ibraheem’s advice for her fellow aspiring students?

“Kids should try to listen to their parents most of the time. They know what they’re doing,” she said.

Please offer your thoughts on this amazing teenager in the comments section below.

Saheela Ibraheem, 15, Headed To Harvard With Aspirations Of Becoming Scientist

Mike J.

Congratulations on your acceptance to all those schools — at such a young age! I hope that you use your God given intelligence and your education to help make the world a better place! Good Luck!
Shæ

Young women like Saheela make me hope that the future of the world is not entirely lost. However, many of the usage of TXT phrasing, and many spelling and punctuation errors in the comments attached to this article make me despair for the future of written language.

Hasan

don’t be such a pedant(if you know what that means) and kill joy shae.this is no english class.the important thing is that you get the message.

Fellow Muslim

Salaam,
What an inspiring story. Just goes to show you how us teens are the future of this world. I wish you the best in your studies Saheela, and may Allah be with you. – Fellow Muslim age 13

Belkeis

Nice comment, young man. May Allah also be with you and give you as much success as our young sister.

eniola

Honestly when I came across this on the net I was astoned. At first I tot it was a lie n den I said to my self any thin is possible when it involves hard work. U have served as an inspiration 2 me n may God almighty keep u on top always n pls stay at d TOP!!!!!!!!!!
cynthia

tola…….not productive at all. I’m of irish descent, if I was the subject should they have mentioned that my heritage of drinking didn’t interfere????
Marcella Maynard Thomason

I don’t see what her Nigerian decent has to do with anything good or bad about herabilities. They also don’t mention her religion…, also has nothing to do with the accomplishments. Wouldn’t be Great if the whole world looked at the actions of one and not the rest? I am only interested in where this gifted beautiful young lady is going to, not where she came from ( and even less so in where anyone else in her family came from) So this article isn’t good enough for you? You can’t just appreciate the wonderful acknowledgment of her hard work? Seems to me you used the opportunity to take a positive peice and add negativity.

Donovan

It’s because her culture came, to a large extent, from her parents. There is something black american culture is lacking, and learning from immigrants can be helpful.

Stephanie

What difference does it make? Knowing her ethnicity is not necessary to admire her success and dedication.
Jamilu

Great achievement. Iam thrilled. Keep it up

Cynthia

Two thumbs up!

markus

Thank God we have kids like this… the future and hope of our country.
smith abayomi

u are born great. ur mind is your limit.
Paul Chapman

Congratulations, I love it when I see young people excited about learning. I wish her the best of luck and happiness.
Alex

Keep it up saheela: let this keep u going that this world is full of opportunities,and what u have is a great privilege,ensure u use this for the betterment of mankind even now that it has been made public you have much expectations resting on your shoulders….it’s a privilege and remember where u are coming 4rm and where u r going to…don’t let this get to your head,find something to challenge you always as i wish u all the best.
hda

That’s great, may God be with you.
amusa ishau cephas

nice one.may the good lord help u.
Solomon Udoffah

At least hope is not lost—-we still have wonder kids we can look up 2 in d future 4 a formidable generation.I wish her well in her education/academics—–she will neva get weary but wax even stronger.Congratulations 2 d family and Nigeria!!!
BUSOLA O

Glad to hear that a Nigerian is excelling.I pray that more of the younger generation will follow your footsteps.God be with you at Harvard,

james macpherson

is she a nigerian?
cynthia

I believe she is of Nigerian descent, but is a US citizen. Again, my family came from Ireland, is it necessary to make inane comments about everyone’s origin? Just be happy for HER, that is the message. sheesh

Temitope

Am impress and excited when I see a purposefully and determined student in the right course of life. I hope someday we will meet to share our ideas and make the world a much more better place. Love ur ego.
icey

wish u al d best n hope u alwyz stay at d top of ur game.
valerie

Atta girl!so proud of you esp.at that age and as a nigerian.I have a daughter and I hope she turnsout to be like you.harvard was the best choice and I wish you the best.
Busola

Kp u doin well,enjoy ur stay in harvard
Nneka

Dat was nice,i wish u more strenght
chika

It’s a joonzin word
abdulwasi

U such an inspiration shaleela.
I just wish u the best in everything.
tinu

Wish u luck all the as u step into Havard, m proud of u as a lady, a black n also as a nigerian.