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Wednesday, November 11, 2026Nov 11

12-year-old California student ready to start university

In this recent but undated frame from video provided by KOVR-TV, Tanishq Abraham, 12, talks about his recent graduation from community college and beginning his university education this fall, in an interview at American River College in Sacramento, Calif. He's been accepted to the University of California, Davis, and UC Santa Cruz. He says he plans on studying biomedical engineering and becoming a doctor and medical researcher by the time he turns 18. (KOVR-TV via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT TV OUT
In this recent but undated frame from video provided by KOVR-TV, Tanishq Abraham, 12, talks about his recent graduation from community college and beginning his university education this fall, in an interview at American River College in Sacramento, Calif. He's been accepted to the University of California, Davis, and UC Santa Cruz. He says he plans on studying biomedical engineering and becoming a doctor and medical researcher by the time he turns 18. (KOVR-TV via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT TV OUT In this recent but undated frame from video provided by KOVR-TV, Tanishq Abraham, 12, talks about his recent graduation from community college and beginning his university education this fall, in an interview at American River College in Sacramento, Calif. He's been accepted to the University of California, Davis, and UC Santa Cruz. He says he plans on studying biomedical engineering and becoming a doctor and medical researcher by the time he turns 18. (KOVR-TV via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT TV OUT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – A 12-year-old Sacramento student who already has three community college degrees and has been accepted to two University of California campuses says he plans on studying biomedical engineering and becoming a doctor and medical researcher by the time he turns 18.

Tanishq Abraham has been accepted to UC Davis and received a regents scholarship to UC Santa Cruz, but he has yet to decide which university he’ll attend, reported Sacramento television station CBS 13 Sunday (http://cbsloc.al/1qDdGlD).

“I think I’ll be 18 when I get my M.D.,” he said.

Tanishq started community college at age 7 and last year he received associate’s degrees from American River College, a community college in Sacramento, in general science; math and physical science; and foreign language studies.

Professors at the college didn’t initially want him in their classes because of his age. But finally a professor agreed to let him attend if his mother, a doctor of veterinary medicine, also took the class. “There were times when I had to explain general relativity and special relativity to my mom,” he said.