Florida A&M University will welcome Curtis Lawrence III in the fall. This Washington D.C. teen passes on Yale and Harvard for FAMU and amasses $1.6 million in scholarships.
The 16-year-old graduating senior will become a part of the FAMU Class of 2025. Lawrence will graduate high school with not only his high school diploma but with an associate degree as well. He will enter FAMU as a rising junior.
“I started off thinking about what schools had good biology programs. I started off looking at HBCUs because I wanted to have the HBCU experience to be surrounded by the people, who are just like me, not only Black but academically talented,” Lawrence said in a social media video. “In the fall, I will be double-majoring in biology and computer science and taking my talents to Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University.”
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Lawrence, who at age 14 began taking classes at George Washington University, was also accepted to a long list of additionally prestigious schools. The list includes: Harvard University, Howard University, Hampton University, George Washington University (GWU), Morehouse College, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T State University, University of California-Berkeley, University of Chicago, and Yale University.
“This has been a really long process that started in the seventh grade thinking about college prep,” Lawrence’s mom, Malene Lawrence, said in an interview. Lawrence’s mother explained that the family researched top schools in paleontology that offered Ph.D. programs and worked backwards. “His goal is to earn a Ph.D., so we helped him plan backward.”
And of course, the FAMU family is beyond ecstatic to have Lawrence as an incoming student. President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., congratulated Vice President for Student Affairs William E. Hudson Jr., Ph.D., for his role in successfully recruiting Lawrence.
“FAMU is very fortunate to have students of the caliber of Curtis Lawrence III confirming attendance. We always seek the best and brightest talent globally and he fits the mold of the distinguished FAMU Alumni.We pride ourselves in producing successful students who meet the global workforce needs.”
Hudson himself said in a statement. He continued, “I am actively engaging with Corey Lawrence to follow in his brother’s footsteps. I look forward to welcoming the Lawrence family to the Rattler FAMUly.”
Congratulations Curtis. The FAMUly is lucky to have you!
