For 15 year-old U. Penn student, it’s never too early to start college life

PHILADELPHIA – While most 15-year-olds are waiting for Sweet 16 invitations and drivers licenses, 15 year-old Brittney Exline is waiting to meet her Math 104 professor. \nShe’s also trying to test into a higher level math class –– and don’t be surprised if she does. \nExline, the youngest black female ever to be admitted to an Ivy League institution, is enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania Liberal Arts and Technology program. \nShe graduated from her public high school in Colorado Springs, Co., last year with an International Baccalaureate degree, wowing admissions officers, her peers and even national media. \nBut don’t remind her of her record-breaking status.\n“I’m pretty neutral about it. I’m not shy going through it, but I’m not boasting about it,” Exline said. “Most people don’t even realize (my age) until I tell them.” \nExline decided to apply to college at age 13 – the same time she finished her public high school’s math curriculum and started taking classes at a local university. \nShe took anthropology and education classes at Harvard University last summer, helping her family decide she was ready to go to school away from home. \nThose around Exline said they barely notice anything different about her. \n“I was pretty surprised, but I wasn’t too shocked,” said freshman Miguel Gonzalez, who only learned about Exline’s age two weeks after they finished a pre-freshman program. “She doesn’t seem like a little girl.” \nThough Exline’s route may be unconventional, her mother, Chyrese Exline says she has no concerns about her daughter being too young for college. \nHer daughter agrees: “I don’t think there are any extra difficulties because I’m 15,” she said. \nStill, there’s certainly been plenty of attention on campus surrounding the 15-year-old “genius,” as Exline is referred to by many in the Penn community. \nExline has to sort through “hundreds of new friend requests on Facebook,” many of which are sent from people she does not know \npersonally. \nBut while her new, real friends “joke around” about her age, they seem to accept Exline as just another freshman. \n“She’s just one of us,” Penn freshman Marko Vucetic said. \nAnd admissions officials felt confident that Exline would have no trouble adapting. \n“Her motivation, discipline and maturity provided clear evidence that, despite her age, she was ready to travel halfway across the country and thrive in Penn’s rigorous academic environment,” Interim Dean of Admissions Eric Kaplan wrote in an e-mail.