Caleb Anderson started high school at just 10.

His brilliance caught the attention of admissions offices at colleges. He said that his dream school was Georgia Tech where he’d hope to major in aerospace engineering. Anderson was accepted to Georgia Tech in Spring 2021.

His dream came true. Last Monday, he was among the thousands of students welcomed to Georgia Tech’s campus for the first day of fall classes. While most 13 year olds are starting middle school, Anderson started his first day as a sophomore with an integral calculus class.

Anderson described his first day there as “pretty interesting”. He called the campus “massive”. Despite the size, he said he felt like home at the campus. He shared that as the day of classes went on, his nerves subsided, and he was excited to be starting this journey. He added:

“This is the kind of school I have been wanting to go to for a very long time, and I am finally here.”

His parents, Kobi and Claire Anderson, were right by his side for his first day. The Andersons beamed with pride about the experience but also expressed that it was unnerving. “Have we prepared him enough?” his mother questioned. “Have we taught him enough about failure?” But his father’s answered: “He’s willing to be stretched. He knows how to get back from a punch … and continues to strive.”

Anderson is the youngest student on Georgia Tech’s campus, and he doesn’t take that for granted. As a young African American boy, he understands the magnitude of being a positive and inspirational influence in his community.

He also says that some people believe that things come easily to him, but that is not the case. His mom said:

“I am really proud of him, but I am really grateful to Georgia Tech for opening a door of opportunity to a student like Caleb.”

While on campus, Anderson is hoping to join clubs like the Ramblin’ Rocket Club. Earning a master’s degree from Georgia Tech, pursuing a career at SpaceX and starting his own company are some of his long-term goals.  His top goal is to pay it forward, saying, “I want to help others that may just need nurturing and resources.”

You can find out more here.