At 15, Yevin Nikhel Goonatilake set to make history as George Mason’s youngest graduate with a 4.0 GPA

At 15 years old, Goonatilake is poised to become the youngest graduate in George Mason University history with a 4.0 grade point average (GPA). This computer science prodigy from Leesburg, Virginia, is doing things at his own speed and far outpacing societal norms.

His achievements likely won’t stop at his bachelor’s degree. Goonatilake is also enrolled in a Bachelors/Accelerated Master’s (BAM) program in the College of Engineering and Computing , putting him on track to earn his master’s, also in computer science, in May 2025. When he does, he would become the university’s youngest-ever master’s degree recipient.

“I’m kind of used to it,” Goonatilake said of his many accomplishments at such a young age. “Doing things earlier than other people is what I’ve been doing my entire life. Personally, I think more people could do it if they want to. You don’t have to follow the general trend. That’s not necessarily for everybody.”

Goonatilake’s father, Shirley Goonatilake, credited his son’s success to his steady focus. “My wife, Llana, and I are so very proud of him,” he said. “He’s very disciplined in everything he does.”

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