She earned a 4.0 average in all the math, physics, biology, astronomy and chemistry classes she has taken as a part-time student at USC Aiken. She even tutored classmates in some of the intricacies of calculus and other subjects and won an academic award as the top chemistry student one year.
So as Rachel Moore explored some of the nation's top schools to further her education, why did just one college seriously consider her for enrollment?
Well, there's one factor: Rachel is still just 15 years old.
"During biology lab, I was studying for my learner's permit while waiting for bacteria to turn pink or whatever," she said.
As it happens, Rachel is heading to the California Institute of Technology, more commonly known as CalTech and widely regarded as one of the finest universities in the world.
The daughter of Bill and Simmie Moore, Rachel was home-schooled for several years, as was her younger brother Lawrence, 13. She started taking classes at USCA at 12, and Lawrence joined her a year ago. They still work with their parents and do independent reading at home.
Rachel will basically start over at Caltech; the university doesn't accept transfer credits from practically any other college. Still, her experience at USCA has been enormously beneficial. When her dad approached admissions director Andrew Hendrix three years ago, he and other officials were concerned about Rachel's age and her ability to handle college work.
But they were impressed with her test scores, including those on the prestigious Talent Identification Program (TIP) coordinated by Duke University. Rachel also demonstrated an outgoing personality and a maturity about educational opportunities well beyond her years.
"She has done remarkably well," said Hendrix earlier this week. "We thought Rachel could handle it and she has worked hard. She certainly has succeeded greatly and has proven that our decision was right."
It's probably helped that since starting at USCA, Rachel has grown roughly seven inches to around 5-7 and if anything, is even more cheerfully gregarious. She swims competitively for the Aiken-Augusta Swim League and played violin for the Aiken Youth Orchestra. Rachel is casually confident she can handle the inconceivably demanding coursework at Caltech, although she admits with a grin that she'll probably freak out the day before classes start. Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, she will indeed be the youngest student on campus.
"Being a kid doesn't bother me," Rachel said. "The people there are really nice and open. I'm more worried about the swimming."
Yep, she's going to join the swim team. It's not Division I or even remotely hypercompetitive, but it's still college. Swimming is a winter sport, so in the fall Rachel is going to try cross-country.
By the time both kids reached 12, their parents knew they had outgrown what Bill Moore could give them in math and science. Rachel said she had great professors at USCA, especially enjoying the chemistry classes. She took an especially-rigorous calculus-based physics class and was one of just two students choosing to sign up for the next level course the following semester.
"Math is just fun," Rachel said. "When I was younger, my parents would buy lots of puzzles and books that had a lot of mentally stimulating activities. I guess it all kind of trained my brain."
She has had no middle or high school experiences, but is OK with that, because she needed to be challenged academically. Yet throughout her years at USCA, Rachel really didn't think of herself as a college student. She was simply too young, rolling her eyes when she got campus emails about parties and other events, as well as student life information clearly targeting people 18-22.
So she and her dad attended a pre-frosh weekend at Caltech in April, and Rachel describes it as one of the best times of her life. Caltech has a community-based residential approach -- "like the Hogwarts" -- for its dorms, and she's looking forward to that.
"I met so many other students and the upperclassmen were really nice to us," Rachel said. "One guy I met wrote a calculator application for the iPhone and it sold pretty well. All the students were exceptional."
Caltech will force her to grow up, she said with another smile. Rachel has no idea about her major, and at this point, the university doesn't encourage such a declaration. She'll take seminars that provide introductions to various fields.
"They have majors there like molecular biology," Rachel said. "Do I know what that is? No. Does it sound really cool? Yes, it does."
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com."
Notice about comments:
AikenStandard.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. AikenStandard.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not AikenStandard.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Comment Title: To: Stop Blaming South Carolina
You certainly have a lot of room to complain. I can see that you were a product of Carolina's fine system. Hmm "51 states" I guess we all should get new flags!! Speaking of flags when will the bars and stars will come down in Columbia. Just reaffirms how backward you folks are. It's 2009 pal not 1861. Duhhhhhhhhhh. There I spelled that slowly for y'awl.
Report Abuse
Posted by: Mathematics Major On: Thursday, July 09, 2009 5:47 PM
Comment Title:
Congratulations
Report Abuse
Posted by: On: Thursday, July 09, 2009 5:42 PM
Comment Title:
Oh I read read the article! My point is that this young lady was home schooled and was not a product of South Carolina's wonderful elementary and secondary system. My goodness you people have no reading comprehension and are really sensitive about our "wonderful educational system". Many thanks to the politicians who you continually elect to office.
Report Abuse
Posted by: On: Thursday, July 09, 2009 5:33 PM
Comment Title: To: Stop Slamming South Carolina
You just proved my point pal. There are 50 States in these USA. Apparently you can't count and certainly don't your history and geography. Were you "home schooooled" as well.
Report Abuse
Posted by: On: Thursday, July 09, 2009 1:52 PM
Comment Title: Wonderful
It's refreshing to see a young lady with such clear goals, and a great personaility. And, for the initial commentor speaking about South Carolina's "lousy education system," perhaps that could be reason why he did not clearly read the article and see that Rachel was home-schooled by her parents. Great job!
Report Abuse
Posted by: Stop Blamming SC On: Thursday, July 09, 2009 1:35 PM
Comment Title:
This is for the first post. If you don't like this "Lousy State" Please pack your crap and leave all you have to do is look under U-Haul and get a map, there are 51 other states for you to choose from, also try reading the whole artical next time it stated She was HOME SCHOOLED.(I even spelled slow for you)
Report Abuse
Posted by: On: Thursday, July 09, 2009 10:53 AM
Comment Title:
She is smart by leaving this lousy state. Hope she can maintain her grades after attending South Carolina's wonderful educational system.
Report Abuse
Posted by: On: Thursday, July 09, 2009 10:14 AM
Comment Title:
Congrats to Rachel and her parents. Apparently that stimulus money isn't really required to promote learning.
Report Abuse
Posted by: charlie On: Thursday, July 09, 2009 9:51 AM
Comment Title:
Great for you! I hope you have a full and wonderful college experience, and that you reach your full potential.
Report Abuse
9