Whiz Kid, 11, Navigates College Life
He is a regular Doogie Howser, though he probably won't know much about the iconic television character played by Neil Patrick Harris in the early 90s, because he is only 11-years-old.
Carson Huey-You is a lot like Howser in the sense they are both heralded as boy wonders, because both entered college at age 10.
Carson was accepted to Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, last year and has already begun his freshman year. According to school officials, he could possibly be the youngest in university history.
"I really, really like school, and in particular solving problems," Carson told ABCNews.com.
He chose physics as his major because he "likes numbers," he said.
"Creating random problems and solving these problems helps calms me down when I'm upset or need to relax," Carson said.
Though he is a big man on campus now, his mother, Claretta Huey-You, said she is constantly at her son's side, making sure he is being taken care of.
"I am sure that any mother knows having children, driving them to and from school, and cooking and cleaning, is very exhausting, but it's a mother's job and we love it and we do what we need to do," Claretta told ABCNews.com. "That being said, I walk him to the door and make sure he enters safely, and I am never far away. I always have a bird's-eye view of the door and make sure he is okay. I am right there when he exits, and never go into the classroom while he is in class."
Claretta said she home-schooled Carson until he was 5 years old and knew his educational fast track was imminent. By the time he was 2, he could add, subtract, multiply and divide, she said.
"By the time he was 5, he could do algebra. And it was a challenge because I knew this was coming and it happened very fast," Claretta said. "After I home-schooled him for five years, I enrolled him in a private school and he went straight into the eighth grade."
To aid in Carson's success and also provide guidance and a safe haven, Dr. Magnus Rittby, senior associate dean and professor of physics and astronomy, has been appointed to guide Carson in his latest endeavors.
"When people worried about him going to college at this age, my response is, 'What else would he do?'" Rittby told WFAA. "I think students will learn from him. If an 11-year-old can stand up in the classroom and voice his opinion about things, maybe that will encourage them to do the same thing."
Carson said his fellow students have been very helpful, receptive and welcoming. And being in college has been "exciting," he said.
"Just being on campus, learning new material, figuring problems, everything in that area is great," Carson said.
Claretta said her son will embark on the normal four-year track to obtaining his bachelor's degree.
"I am not rushing him because he has a lot of time," she said. "I wanted to make sure this experience is the best of his life. He is going to be in the chemistry club and science-based clubs so he can have some fun time, but during this four-year period I do not plan on rushing him, but then again, I have not been able to halt or stop him."
Watching Star Wars and playing video games with his brother and friends is his favorite pastime, he said. But he manages to balance both school and fun, saying he has "the best of two worlds."
As for his future, Claretta said Carson is determined to earn his Ph.D. in physics and wants to do research to "discover something huge that will impact our way of life and better our planet."
"We understand his gift is a big responsibility," she said. "But even though he has this gift, I want people to know first and foremost that I am so proud of him and that he is a good little boy. He is very humble, very kind and caring and yet he is truly intelligent. Even though he is in college, I just really want people to know what a good little boy he is and what a great big brother he is as well."
