BGSU Honors College student earns bachelor’s degree at 18, prepares to begin doctorate program in the fall

Grady Schulz has accomplished a lot in the first 18 years of his life.

After skipping two grades, he graduated high school at 16, earned his bachelor’s degree at 18 and already has been accepted into Bowling Green State University’s nationally ranked sociology doctorate program, which he’ll begin in the fall.

Schulz plans to become a researcher, a career path he hadn’t previously considered. When he arrived at Bowling Green, he planned on attending law school after graduation. 

Everything changed when he was hired as an undergraduate research assistant, a key differentiator of the Bowling Green experience, where undergraduate students have opportunities to conduct relevant research alongside expert faculty members.

“I remember being in my introductory law class, and I was having a great time,” said Schulz, who is in the Honors College. “But I realized I couldn’t stop thinking about the research I was doing. Building a research project from the ground up was especially rewarding. We got to find the question, the variables, do the literature review, run analysis and make the poster. 

“That was the moment it clicked for me.”

Schulz, of Montville, Ohio, just outside of Chardon, arrived at Bowling Green at just 16 years old after earning an associate degree while still in high school. Just a month into his freshman year, he was hired as a research assistant for renowned sociology professor Monica Longmore, Ph.D., who has long championed the benefits of undergraduate research.

Initially, he said he assumed the experience would simply be an opportunity to apply what he learned in class. Instead, it led to discovering a new passion. 

"The skills students develop through undergraduate research are valuable no matter what career they pursue," Longmore said. "They learn how to ask thoughtful questions, analyze evidence and solve complex problems. It's exciting to watch students take ownership of a project and grow their confidence. I also learn a tremendous amount from working alongside them."

When Schulz joined the research team, they were finishing a study on intergenerational behaviors using data from the Toledo Adolescent Relationship Study, a prospective population-based study.

Soon after, they started a new study on vicarious discrimination – to understand how discrimination experienced by loved ones affects people indirectly. Longmore said the idea was developed by Schulz and Audrey Simon, another undergraduate research assistant in her lab.

The team was awarded the University's Elliot L. Blinn Award for Faculty-Undergraduate Student Innovative Basic and Creative Work for that project.

“It’s been fascinating to get hands-on experience with this level of research,” Schulz said. “I’ve been able to explore so many different things with just this one position, and the faculty have been nothing but supportive, encouraging and helpful.”

The faculty was one of the biggest reasons Schulz said he chose Bowling Green. Although he had nearly made up his mind, he decided to visit campus and meet with faculty before making his final decision.

“They have this excitement, this raw kind of love for the subject,” Schulz said. “I saw it when I visited and still see it today. Every single time we talk about anything related to research or the classroom, it’s obvious how passionate and dedicated they are to their work both as researchers and educators.

"My professors encouraged me to be open to changing my future goals and plans. I probably wouldn’t have even applied for my research position without their support, and that initial step is what led me down this new career path.”

As an undergraduate researcher, Schulz has presented alongside faculty and graduate students at national and regional conferences, including the Population Association of America and the North Central Sociological Association. He’s also presented at two undergraduate research symposiums at the University.

Additionally, he co-authored a book chapter and contributed to three research papers, two of which have already been published.

“I can confidently say the education I’ve received at Bowling Green State University has been fantastic,” Schulz said. “People might not expect this kind of academic rigor from a mid-sized public university in Ohio, but Bowling Green has amazing faculty, amazing resources and punches well above its weight.” 

Related Stories