Vandan Patel, a seven-year-old, has recently been inducted as one of the latest members of American Mensa. This bright first grader from Savannah Country Day School exhibits an advanced comprehension across various subjects and possesses a keen sense of curiosity. His father notes that Vandan’s intellectual interests extend well beyond the classroom, including a fascination with space, scriptural studies, and an array of languages. Despite his remarkable intelligence, Vandan is described by his parents as an ordinary child who delights in cartoons and laughter. His mother, Rima, remarked, ‘Vandan is fun, loving, smart, and silly,’ highlighting his enjoyment of playing with his two brothers, engaging in outdoor activities, video games, traveling, Snapology, and tennis. He aspires to become an astronaut in the future. Youth membership represents a significant area of growth for Mensa, currently accounting for about 9 percent of its total membership. The organization provides a variety of programs designed to meet the needs of gifted children, including the Mensa Honor Society, the College Readiness Series, scholarships, and the Mensa Foundation’s Excellence in Reading program. American Mensa accepts around 150 different intelligence tests for children under the age of 14, like Vandan, which can be administered by schools, testing facilities, or private psychologists. Older applicants can also take these tests or opt for direct testing with Mensa at private centers across the nation. American Mensa welcomes individuals who score in the top 2 percent on an accepted standardized intelligence test, boasting approximately 45,000 members in the United States and over 140,000 members globally.
