Lamont Newell, a 17-year-old student from South Los Angeles, has drawn national attention after earning admission to 65 colleges while overcoming homelessness and family hardship. The valedictorian of Verbum Dei Jesuit High School graduated with a 4.4 GPA and has chosen to attend Columbia University on a reported full-ride scholarship to study industrial engineering. According to local reports, Newell spent part of his childhood sleeping in a car with his family, yet continued to excel academically while teaching himself coding and pursuing a future in STEM education.
Journey from homelessness to earning admission to 65 elite colleges
Newell grew up in South Los Angeles with his single mother and siblings, facing financial instability from an early age. There were periods when the family experienced homelessness and relied on sleeping in a car for shelter. Despite the uncertainty, Newell remained focused on academics and school activities.His family was also affected by gang violence and incarceration, circumstances that made educational success even more difficult to achieve. Newell has said he wanted to break the cycle and become the first male in his family to graduate from high school. One of the most significant moments in Newell’s journey came during a summer camp programme in South Los Angeles, where he was introduced to coding. The experience sparked his interest in technology and engineering, eventually shaping his academic goals.The coding classes gave him exposure to STEM subjects and encouraged him to think beyond the limitations of his surroundings. Over time, he developed a strong interest in industrial engineering, a field that combines mathematics, systems design and problem-solving.Newell’s academic achievements culminated in an extraordinary college admissions season. He received acceptance letters from 65 colleges and universities across the United States, an accomplishment that quickly gained attention online.His 4.4 GPA and leadership at Verbum Dei Jesuit High School played a major role in the admissions process. School officials publicly celebrated his success, describing him as an example of perseverance and determination.Although he had multiple options, Newell ultimately decided to attend Columbia University in New York City, where he plans to study industrial engineering on a full scholarship package.
Why Columbia stood out
Columbia University is widely recognised for its engineering and research programmes, particularly through Columbia Engineering. Industrial engineering at the university focuses on systems optimisation, analytics, operations and technology-driven problem solving.For Newell, the university represented more than academic prestige. His decision reflected a long-term goal of using education and technology to create opportunities for underserved communities.Beyond college admissions, Newell has spoken about wanting to give back to the community that shaped him. He hopes to create a STEM programme for Black youth, helping children gain access to coding and technical education at an early age.His story has resonated with many people online because it highlights the role of mentorship, educational access and community support in changing lives. From learning coding at a local summer camp to preparing for an Ivy League education, Newell’s journey has become an example of resilience and ambition in the face of adversity.
