Gifted 15-y-o starts university

At just 15 years old, Clovett Scott has taken her place among university students.

The teenager from South St James recently started classes at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, Western Jamaica Campus, a milestone that places her years ahead of most Jamaican students her age.

"I started high school at 10 years old, which is why I completed by 15," she told THE STAR.

"When I got my acceptance letter, I was overjoyed. I didn't know I could be accepted with just CSEC results."

Students in Jamaica typically sit CSEC exams at 16 or 17. Clovett has already completed eight subjects before her 16th birthday, earning three grade ones and five grade twos across mathematics, English, Spanish, literature, and the sciences.

Her academic acceleration began in primary school. Teachers observed her tackling both grade two and grade three workloads with ease, and she was later assessed by a clinical psychologist who confirmed her IQ was above average for her age group. Educators considered placing her directly into high school, but her grandmother resisted.

"They had wanted to move me immediately, but my grandma thought I couldn't manage," Clovett recalled. "So they let me skip only one grade instead."

That compromise allowed her to advance while still adjusting socially, and by age 10 she was a first-former at Westwood High School in Trelawny.

Her grandmother, who has since passed away, remained central to her story.

"She was my biggest supporter. If I could tell her one thing right now, it would be 'Thank you,'" Clovett said.

Family sacrifices shaped the rest of her journey. Growing up in South St James, she lived in a community where reliable water, Internet and phone service are limited. Her parents decided to send her to live with her grandmother so she could attend a stronger school. Later, when secondary school beckoned, they enrolled her as a boarder at Westwood rather than allow her to travel long distances daily.

"I begged them to make me a day student, but they didn't want me on the road alone," she said. "It was more expensive, but they sacrificed for my safety. I'm extremely grateful, because I don't think I'd be here without that."

Her uncle and guardian, Fabian Scott, recalled how she maintained high standards even during the disruptions of the pandemic.

"During COVID, when PEP wasn't done the usual way, her grades were still strong enough to earn her first-choice school, Westwood. Now she's at UWI, and she's going to my alma mater. I couldn't be prouder," he said.

But he also argued that the system should do more.

"A child like this shouldn't even pay a dollar in tuition. The government should nurture this kind of potential, not leave families to carry it alone."

Now a first-year psychology student, Clovett says her transition to university life has been easier than expected.

"I thought it would be intimidating, but it's very welcoming. The campus is intimate, and I feel comfortable sharing my views in class."

Her academic interests continue to focus on the brain.

"I'm intrigued by cognitive processes, and I'd like to specialise in clinical psychology or speech-language pathology. I have relatives with speech disabilities, so being able to help people like them would mean a lot," she said.

"In the next five to 10 years, I see myself doing my master's, and maybe even a doctorate," she added.

For Clovett, the key lesson she wants to share is confidence.

"If I hadn't believed in my CSEC results, I wouldn't have applied to UWI. Don't tell yourself a subject is too hard. Apply yourself, be confident, and you'll be able to repeat it when the time comes."