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

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You'll forgive Yevin Nikhel Goonatilake for the lack of perspective on his self-confessed habit of procrastination.

Yevin Goonatilake. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

If only we could all have such flaws.

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 scienceprodigy 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) programin 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.

And all of this from someone who has yet to turn 16 or get a driver's license.

"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."

That discipline became clear early. When Goonatilake was 3 years old, his parents, both computer science engineers, recognized his gift and his father began homeschooling him.

By age 11, Goonatilake had already accrued enough academic credits to apply to Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), but he first needed to take the SAT. No problem as he scored 790 out of a possible 800 points on the math portion of the standardized test, and had totaled a robust 1530 overall score out of a possible 1600 on the test by the time he was 13.

At 13, he also graduated from NOVA with his associate's degree in computer science, with a perfect 4.0 GPA, becoming the youngest known NOVA graduate since the school began keeping electronic records in 1975.

While George Mason has had young graduates before, both female-including a 13-year old who earned a bachelor of arts (BA) degree in 1972 and a math majorwho completed both a BA and MA by 17 in 2017-neither graduated with a 4.0 GPA, according to University Registrar Doug McKenna.

Goonatilake arrived at George Mason during the COVID-19 pandemic, when classes were primarily online and masks were the norm on campus. This low-profile start suited him, as most of his friends and classmates had no clue about his age.

"I don't think I told anybody my age," he said.

Now 5-foot-10, Goonatilake blends in easily with his peers, enjoying sports and cherishing time with his friends. But his life is anything but typical.

In addition to his studies, Goonatilake plays professional cricket for the Baltimore Royals Sunny Sohail (BRSS) Cricket Academy,which competes in Minor League Cricket. Likely the youngest player in league annals, he practices several times per week and has traveled to Texas and North Carolina for matches this semester. True to form, Goonatilake balances it all, studying on planes and in hotel rooms to keep up with his coursework.

Cricket, introduced to him by his father, a native of Sri Lanka, where it is the most popular sport, has become a vital part of Goonatilake's life.

His coaches at BRSS have been extremely supportive of Goonatilake's delicate balance between his cricket and academic pursuits, allowing him to manage his workload on his own.

"I need both," he said, alluding to the social and athletic balance the two endeavors provide him.

Looking ahead, Goonatilake isn't sure what's next. Pursuing a PhD to teach and conduct research is certainly a possibility, though he's also considering roles in the tech sector or federal government.

If he takes the PhD route, Goonatilake hopes to live on campus, get a roommate, and experience a more traditional college life.

"By then," he said with a smile, "I'll finally be able to drive."

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