L.I. Teen Kwasi Enin Accepted To All 8 Ivy League Schools
SHIRLEY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- An astounding number of thick envelopes has arrived recently at a home on Long Island.
As CBS 2's Emily Smith reported, high school senior Kwasi Enin, 17, has been accepted to all eight Ivy League schools. He said it was hard for him to imagine getting into just one of them – and to be accepted to all, as well as four other top universities, was a surreal experience.
The William Floyd High School senior began hearing from the schools March 27.
L.I. Teen Kwasi Enin Accepted To All 8 Ivy League Schools
Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, Yale and the University of Pennsylvania all said yes.
He was also accepted by SUNY Binghamton, SUNY Geneseo, Stony Brook University, and Duke.
"I feel wonderful for these opportunities to go to any of these undergraduate colleges because they're so amazing," Enin told 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera. "I'm just really, really glad this is happening to me."
Enin is the first-generation son of immigrants from Ghana. He has surpassed the accomplishments of some of his uncles and cousins, who were accepted to several Ivies.
He said his parents are delighted by his accomplishments.
"They're very shocked and, like me, they thought was no way you can have all of them," Enin told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall. "They thought this was unbelievable. They were so proud."
Enin said his parents hovered over him growing up, never accepting a grade below 95. He said his parents always told him, "You have a mind; you can do it."
He added that he knew it was unusual to apply to all eight Ivy League schools. But less than 15 percent of applicants get into the Ivy League, so he decided to go all out.
"I was like, apply to eight; hope I get one," he said.
So how did he do it? Enin studied religiously and took the SAT three times. He was finally satisfied when he scored 2,250 out of 2,400 on the SAT, which places him in the 99th percentile for all students taking the exam.
L.I. Teen Kwasi Enin Accepted To All 8 Ivy League Schools
Enin's father, Ebenezer, is a registered nurse. He said the secret to success lies in sacrifice – something he instilled in his son from birth.
"You have parents to provide all your needs. We are mentoring you," Ebenezer Enin said. "You come from school – all the homework, you sit down and to the homework."
Kwasi Enin has until May 1 to decide on a school. He said he is leaning toward Yale, where he will likely study the medical field – specifically to become a cardiologist.
"I'm trying to major in either biology, neuroscience or, if I go to Yale, biomedical engineering," he said.
With that said, Enin does admit to having a guilty pleasure.
"Video games," he said.
For someone to accomplish the all but unattainable at 17 years old, Enin hopes to continue a strict regimen – with a possible future of changing the world as Dr. Kwasi Enin.
Enin also runs track and field, Plays the viola, and sings. Financial aid will play a role in his college decision.
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