A 16-year-old student in Louisiana, United States, Dennis Maliq Barnes, has received more than 170 college acceptance letters and over $9 million in scholarship offers.
Barnes, a student at International High School of New Orleans, said he wasn’t initially looking to set any records.
“As I applied to more schools, as my numbers went up, with the financial aid and acceptances into universities, I became intrigued,” Barnes told CNN, adding that when he was told he was close to the record, he “just went for it.”
Barnes said he began applying to schools in August 2022 and took pride in watching the acceptances and scholarships roll in.
“It was never really a surprise for me once I reached that number,” he added.
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School officials said Barnes’ accomplishment sets a new world record and have reached out to the Guinness Book of World Records to make it official.
Barnes has a 4.98 GPA and is graduating two years early and hasn’t decided which school he will attend in the fall.
“I don’t know where I want to go. I intend to pursue computer science, and then go to law school,” he said.
Barnes credits his family and friends and faith in God for his accomplishments.
“I am a God-fearing young man; I keep God first,” he said.
Barnes has applied to 200 schools and plans to announce his final decision in early May before graduation on May 24, 2023.
Advising those coming behind him, the 16-year-old student said: “If you keep your school, your education a priority, and keep God in the mix, then you are definitely going to be successful no matter what you do.”
