

While other kids his age were wrapping up their middle school years and looking forward to summer camp, Elliott Tanner was graduating from the University of Minnesota. In May, at age 13, he earned a bachelor’s degree in physics with a minor in math. In the fall, he’ll return to the university to start his doctoral degree.
Elliott’s stunning intellect was evident early on. By age two, he knew the alphabet. “And then he learned it in Swedish right after that,” his father says.
At age three, Elliott carried around magnetic numbers instead of stuffed animals. He would spread them out on his play rug and add.
While other five-year-olds were talking about superheroes, Elliott was memorizing the periodic table—including the weights and atomic masses of every element.
After one year in kindergarten, Elliott’s parents started homeschooling. They couldn’t keep up with him. “He was done with algebra in a month and done with geometry in two weeks,” his mom says.
He frequently chose to spend birthday money on books instead of toys or games. His bedroom became packed with textbooks, which he read with lightning speed.
Elliott was classified as “profoundly gifted” on an IQ test at age six. His family believes genetics plays a role. His mom considers his father a musical genius. And Elliott’s paternal grandfather is a “super-smart” civil engineer who taught himself six languages.
By age nine, Elliott became a full-time student at Normandale Community College. Fellow students were initially shocked to see him in their classes. But they quickly adjusted. Elliott rolled with it, “For me, it was just normal. Everyone was really kind to me.”
Elliott hopes to earn his doctorate (Ph.D.) in five or six years. His long-term goal is to stay at the university and become a physics professor. He is eager to share the “joy of physics.”
Both his parents are self-employed. His mom is a photographer, and his dad is a musician. They didn’t plan on having to save for his college fund so soon.
No financial aid was offered by the university. The Tanners expect the doctoral program to cost close to $90,000. Thanks to generous donations to a GoFundMe page, Elliott now has his first two years covered.
While Elliott is famous for his incredible mind, his mom notes that his kindness is essential to his character. “He inspires us to be better people every day.”
Why? Like Elliott, each of us has distinct gifts given to us by God. All are remarkable! May God use your gifts for your good and the benefit of others.
This is Katie
Wow. That’s…really amazing
umm...how?
I Honestly can't understand how a 13-YEAR-OLD can already graduate from the University of Minnesota, and at age 9 was doing college classes??!! but, I guess some people are just verry smart :)
BIG BRAIN
Wow! He is very smart.
He may be smarter than Einstein!
That is so cool that he liked
That is so cool that he liked physics at an early age!! I like physics myself but I haven't gotten that far yet
Now that I think about it
Now that I think about it imagine the teacher at the college "Good morning students I would like to introduce our new student Elliot who is nine years old"
@Above
That is totally crazy! That is incredibly smart. He sure does seem to have a smug look in the picture though. And the ones in the slideshow, his hair is quite long. At first I thought it was a picture of a different girl but then I realized it was him. Ops. Yes I think it would be hilarious if he became a physics professor and literally was younger than the college students he was teaching. Although they might make him wait until he is older than them so that they will actually listen.
The one thing that I think though, is about how much of life he is missing out on. All his childhood years are going to be gone. When he is 60 years old, he may (or may not) look back and regret having spent all his childhood years in a college classroom, instead of enjoying the outdoors, playing games with friends, and having quality family time. I think that education is important, but so are friends and family and life skills. What are everyone elses thoughts on this?
@ Riley
Yes, I agree. You're only a kid once.
I'm surprised they let him in the college at age 9....to be around young adults at that age probably isn't the best thing, lol. But that's nice that they did.
@Riley D
I never thought of that. It's a good point. But I certainly hope he's happy with his education.