The youngest member of this year’s graduating class at University of South Florida is an 18-year-old with a perfect grade point average.

But that isn’t even the most impressive fact about Ahmed Mohamed.

  • Ahmed Mohamed is the first student to undertake dual law and medical degrees from USF and Stetson University
  • The 18-year-old is graduating this spring with his Bachelor's
  • He credits his mother as his inspiration

Soon the Eagle Scout will enroll in a program that will allow him to graduate with his medical and law degree at the same time.

Born in Egypt, Mohamed and his family moved back and forth from the United States, finally landing in Tampa. Mohamed graduated from Blake High School at the age of 15. He’ll be the first student at USF to be enrolled in medical school and Stetson University School of Law simultaneously.

“It’s really exciting, but you have to try and stay humble,” Mohamed said.

According to Dean of USF Honors College Charles Adams, Mohamed is not quick to reveal his age to his peers. Mohamed says it’s partly to stay humble – and he also likes to fit in.

But Mohamed, like it or not, is not your average student. Aside from his perfect GPA, he’s also an accomplished pianist, competitive swimmer and triathlete.

“He makes me feel like a slacker,” Adams said. “He’s just remarkable. He’s in a category unto himself.”

Mohamed convinced USF and Stetson to create a program to fit his needs. He will concentrate the first two years on medical school, then two years on law school, followed by two more in medical. At the end of his studies, he will graduate with both degrees.

At the end of the program, Mohamed will only be 24 years old.

Where did Mohamed get his smarts? His father is a transplant surgeon, but Mohamed credits his mother with the ambition.

“She’s been really my source of inspiration and motivation,” he said. “She’s a really compassionate person, that’s something I’ve tried to learn from her.”

Mohamed wants to work for the Centers for Disease Control or the Food and Drug Administration once he graduates.