UTICA, Mich. (WWJ) -- A Macomb County high school student is receiving high praise for a high score on his SAT.
How high of a score? How about 1600, otherwise known as perfect.
Alexander Hughes of the Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies senior has always set lofty goals and high expectations, and he met those expectations on his college entrance exam, placing himself among less than 1% of all student test takers nationally.
"When I saw the results, it was really a combination of excitement and relief," Hughes said. "Excitement about how high the score was and relief that it would allow me to get into the college of my dreams."
Harvard University is that dream college for Hughes, where he will begin college in the fall, on his way to a career in politics.
Not only did Hughes set high goals for the SAT -- he has his goals set on the highest office in the country.
Hughes says someday he wants to be President of the United States.
"I like to joke that a lot of kids think they want to be president one day," Hughes said. "I guess that is a phase that I never grew out of."
It is an expectation grounded in his study of Abraham Lincoln, and a dedication to service that comes from his faith and his family.
"You have to dedicate yourself to serving the people around you one way or another," he said. "Politics just seemed like a good outlet for me to do that."
Hughes attended Utica Community Schools beginning in first grade. He attended Morgan and Messmore Elementaries, Davis Junior High School and GLK-UAIS.
Hughes says he took the SAT twice -- within two weeks of each other -- and the first test resulted in the perfect score.
For those about to take the SAT, Hughes has three pieces of advice:
-- Take advantage of practice tests. "There is nothing really better than looking at questions that are written in the same style because they do try to trip you up with the wording," he said.
-- Be analytical about your time use; if you understand a concept, move onto the next one where you may need additional reinforcement.
