- By Supratik Das
- Sun, 04 May 2025 01:48 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In a proud moment for the Indian-American community, 7-year-old Vandan Patel, a first-grader at Savannah Country Day School, has been accepted into Mensa International, the world's oldest and largest high-IQ society. Vandan's admission comes after scoring in the top two percent on the Mensa intelligence test. The young prodigy is already demonstrating remarkable mental capabilities way beyond his grade level, with strong interests in subjects such as astronomy, foreign language, and scripture.
"I Want To Land On Titan," Says Vandan
Sharing his space dreams with WJCL, Vandan said, “I want to land on Titan. It is one of Saturn’s moons.” His interest in the universe is not new. At the age of 7, Vandan knows astronomy. “In 100 trillion years, the stars of the universe will die and no more will be born,” he added, calculating cosmic timelines with ease. Vandan's fascination with non-fiction books helps him to explore subjects that even adults find difficult. His father, Maulik Patel, a medical practitioner, said to WJCL, “He has read my medical school texts and will quote facts back to me or quiz me.”
Rima Patel, Vandan's mom, also remembered that her son demonstrated an extraordinary memory when he was as young as two and a half. "I think I would say about two and a half for me. He had a very sharp memory," she stated. She calls her son "fun, loving, smart, and silly." Vandan also likes to dance and draw, combining his academic brilliance with creativity and play. Vandan has also been part of the Kumon math and reading program since the age of three. Even though he is brilliant, his parents stress the need for humility. "Brilliance alone is not the goal," said Maulik Patel. "Helping him understand that there are a lot of other aspects to life, and making sure that he’s humble as he develops into whatever that role will be… that’s important for us.”
Elizabeth Danosh, Vandan’s teacher at Savannah Country Day School, wasn’t surprised by his Mensa acceptance. “He is just a creative mind. He’s always eager to learn, and he brings so much creativity and curiosity into the classroom,” she told WJCL. She also highlighted how he acts as a mentor to others and stays humble with his abilities. Beyond the classroom, he enjoys the joy of watching cartoons, playing games, and attending Snapology STEM programs. He also plays tennis and enjoys hanging out with his two brothers. "To have a child like Vandan, it's a gift. To be able to nourish it is our responsibility," said Maulik Patel.
American Mensa Identifies "Complex Curiosity"
American Mensa, which aids talented youth with reading programs, scholarships, and the Mensa Honor Society, commended Vandan for his "complex curiosity."American Mensa has approximately 45,000 members in the U.S. and more than 140,000 globally. To gain admission to Mensa for children under age 14, they must provide scores from one of 150 approved intelligence tests administered by schools or licensed psychologists.
As Vandan continues to search for the stars literally, his journey proves what young minds can do if curiosity is nourished and given support.