Lauren Betancourt, Founder of ExtremeIntellect, Winner of the "Busy Educators Award"

Lauren Betancourt

Our Story

If you do your research, you'll find that ExtremeIntellect is one of the few websites that is written and maintained by someone who has actually "experienced" early college education - not a parent or teacher of gifted kids or a gifted nonprofit. Every day, I sat in class with kids seven to fifteen years older.  I've experienced and responded to press interviews conducted by reporters with varying preconceived ideas of what early college life is all about. It has been my pleasure to share my overwhelmingly positive experience as an early college student and graduate.

When I first entered college at age 13, I only knew two other kids of similar age who were attending full-time college. I wanted to know about and contact other accelerated kids. Three years later, after lots of research, I've found that hundreds of kids have entered college early. I never heard of them because the news organizations that covered their stories only report regionally. I am now great friends with other kids who have entered college before the age of 16. We talk daily, so I am consistently witnessing how accelerated education impacts both kids still in college and in their lives after college. Our experiences are very similar.

After I graduated from the University of Hartford at age 16, I decided to start ExtremeIntellect.com so that other kids who are entering college early, as well as more traditional students and adults, will have a resource written and maintained by someone who has actually gone through the acceleration process.

In addition to my 3.73 GPA in Biological Science and numerous academic awards, I've worked as a professional tutor with elementary, high school, college age and continuing education students. I also taught College Freshman Biology laboratory. I finished my four year degree in only three years and have participated in university level laboratory research. I was awarded the Elisabeth Swain Outstanding Senior award from the University Biology Department and was named to the President's List and National Dean's List. So, I know how to be a good student. I've also attended public school and private school, in addition to being home schooled. This has given me a unique perspective on schooling methods from many angles of education. Because of these achievements and experiences, many people ask my opinion on learning materials and related resources in order to provide their children with a positive educational experience. I've included as many resources relating to education, acceleration, and giftedness as I can think of and will continue to add on as the site grows. I hope to expand the web site by making it interactive with live chat seminars to answer your questions more completely.

This site was founded in September of 2003, so it's still very young. We are adding more information daily. So check back often to see what's new!

I hope you find the site helpful and good luck in all of your educational endeavors.

Oh, and if you are interested in knowing more about me, check out my new book "You're gonna miss the prom?" It is sold in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom and is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million and other major book sellers.

UPDATE: I am now a graduate student.

UPDATE: Lauren holds the title Miss North Haven 2007 in the Miss Connecticut / Miss America Organization. She will compete in the 2007 Miss Connecticut State Pageant. In 2005, she was a top ten finalist in the Miss Connecticut State Scholarship pageant and also was awarded the $1,000 State Academic Award. She was recently a celebrity judge for "Puttin on the Dog" in Greenwich Connecticut and Project Lead for the Arts Council Sidewalk Drawing Competition! You can read more at the Miss North Haven Web Site. And get up and exercise at Smart Moves: Winning the Fitness Challenge! http://www.smartmovesfitness.org