Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Higher IQ at 11 than Stephen Hawking
A child genius who aged 11 already had a higher IQ than Stephen Hawking is preparing for his greatest test yet - an interview at Cambridge. Mihail Iulian Barascu, known to pals as “Iulian”, has applied to study computer science at the prestigious university.
The brainbox will face a grilling from the daunting dons at Queens’ College later this month.
But it won’t be first time he’s had to answer difficult questions under intense pressure. When Iulian was 12, he starred on Channel 4’s Child Genius programme, making it through to the semi-final stage.
Five years on, he admits his mates like to play clips from the show to tease him. “Some of my friends find it quite amusing,” he says. “But it was one of those things. I think most people can look back at their pre-teen and teenage years and find it embarrassing and funny in equal measure.”
Iulian grew up in Romania where, aged about seven, a teacher told his parents that he could be tackling secondary school standard tasks.
He also had a remarkable memory and could easily recite entire poems.
The family moved to the UK in 2009 and later settled in Dover. Aged 11, Iulian took a Mensa test and achieved an IQ score of 162, the highest possible mark. The average IQ ranges between 90 and 109.
The same year his first novel - Necromancer - was published. And despite taking A-levels in maths, further maths, chemistry, physics and economics, he still has a very strong creative side to his personality and a passion for the arts.
The 17-year-old is currently rehearsing three times a week with the Marlowe Youth Theatre in Canterbury, taking up the role of Diomedes in Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida. Iulian said: “I enjoy the artistic side to life quite a bit. I still read a lot now and like cinema a lot.” His teachers decided he could skip Year 10 at school. So after spells at Sir Roger Manwood’s, Dover College and even a year back in Romania, he is now in his final year of sixth form at Dover Grammar School for Girls.
Despite his vast intellect, and securing an interview at Cambridge a year earlier than most, he insists he enjoys the same sort of pursuits as his peers. And being so brainy actually means he gets more free time. “Some of my friends have the same ambitions as me,” he says. “It might be annoying to some people, but because I find it easier to learn, I don’t have to spend so much time studying. I can afford to party.”
Yet Iulian has absolutely no intention of squandering the incredible talent he has been blessed with.
“It’s a great privilege,” he says. “Some people are born with money, but I’ve been given this gift.
“I think about how I can use it and not waste it.”
Julian has now moved to Victoria Park, Dover, with dad Gheorghe, 42, a supply teacher, and mum Gabriela, 46, a dentist. He had just finished a driving lesson in Canterbury when his proud dad called him to let him know about the letter from Cambridge.
“I’m quite excited,” says Iulian, who is inspired by inventor Nicola Tesla and hopes to specialise in the field of artificial intelligence.
Is he confident of securing a place at the university, ranked second in the world?
“I would say tentatively,” he adds.
“When you finish school, you’re setting out on your own. It’s an important moment of everyone’s life.”
The Kent MS Therapy Centre’s Christmas Ball at the Broome Park Hotel is the charity’s biggest fundraiser of the year, from 6.30pm to midnight. Tickets £50.
Get ready to rumble as LDN Wrestling makes its debut in Canterbury at the Westgate Hall from 7pm to 9.30pm. Tickets £15. Visit westgatehall.org/organiser/ldn-wrestling/
Hear classics such as Town Called Malice and Going Underground at the King’s Hall in Herne Bay, performed by From The Jam. The tribute band includes Bruce Foxton, legendary bass player for The Jam and Stiff Little Fingers. Doors 6.30pm. Tickets £20.
The Canterbury Tales attraction will host festive fun with Father Christmas in a very special time travelling adventure for children. Family tickets are £40.50.
The Kent Coastal Concert Band returns to The Kings Hall, Herne Bay, promising a great atmosphere and cracking Christmas music. There will be a raffle and a visit from Santa. From 2.30pm-4.30pm. Tickets £5.
Where’s My Thing? will be performing at the Black Griffin from 9pm.
Well-known comedians you will recognise from TV, including rising star Phil Wang, will be taking to the stage at The Marlowe from 7.30pm. Tickets £24.
The comic, who has starred on Live at the Apollo and Mock the Week, is bringing his Taking Liberties show to the Gulbenkian at 8pm on March 22, 2020. Beyond party politics and Brexit, Geoff has realised the main thing that motivates his political persuasion is that he hates being told what to do. Whether it’s Eurocrats, ministers, cultural icons or his wife of 15 years, Geoff just can’t stand anyone having power over him. Tickets £13.50.