BUFFALO — After only two years and at 18 years old, Michael Reyf received his bachelor’s degree from the University at Buffalo on Sunday morning. He’s following in the footsteps of his father, who also earned a bachelor’s degree at 18.
Reyf, a mathematics major with minors in statistics and law, began his college journey at UB in the fall of 2024 when he was only 16 years old. Originally intending to study engineering, he soon discovered a passion for mathematics and the versatility it offered for his future career goals.
“I always liked numbers growing up,” Reyf said. “Math felt like a good fit because it opens up a lot of possibilities afterward. It’s a versatile field that allows me to keep my options open while exploring my interests in analytics, business and technology.”
A native of Brooklyn who later moved with his family to the Catskills region near Monticello, Reyf said UB’s varied academic offerings and flexibility were major factors in choosing the university.
“I went to a pretty small high school, so I liked the change from something small to something bigger,” he said. “What I really liked about UB was how flexible it was with taking classes. I could explore a lot of different interests.”
Reyf entered UB with more than 30 college credits earned through Advanced Placement exams. Combined with semesters carrying 20 to 21 credits, he completed his degree requirements in four semesters. But Reyf emphasizes that graduating early was never his primary motivation.
“I think I perform better when I’m challenged,” Reyf said. “It wasn’t really about graduating quickly. It was more about challenging myself and building a strong foundation before college so that once I got there, I’d have more freedom to take courses I actually wanted.”
His achievement also carries a unique family connection. Reyf’s father, Aleksandr Reyf, graduated from New York University’s College of Arts and Science in 2000 at age 18, making him the youngest graduate in his class.
“I wouldn’t say I graduated at 18 because he did,” Reyf said. “But having him as an example showed me it was achievable.”
Reyf added that his father’s experience gave him confidence throughout his accelerated academic path.
“My dad said he was happy he finished early and didn’t have any regrets about it,” he said.
Despite his demanding course load, Reyf remained highly involved on campus. Shortly after arriving at UB, he joined the university’s Chess Club and later served on its executive board during his senior year. He also became active in Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional business fraternity, along with several other business-focused student organizations.
“Joining organizations helped me build a community around myself,” Reyf said. “I knew I wanted to have a good overall experience and meet a lot of people.”
Outside the classroom, Reyf also gained professional experience through internships and part-time work at a technology company. Looking ahead, he hopes to build a career at the intersection of business and technology, potentially in corporate strategy or technology investing.
Now preparing for commencement, Reyf is weighing several graduate school offers, including one from UB, as he plans to pursue a master’s degree in a business-related field such as finance or business analytics.