The High Normal IQ person is an interesting individual. I known a number of persons in the 113-117 IQ range, and generally I can converse with them very well, though they often need to have their minds stimulated because many of them are operating with unstimulated minds. Once their minds are stimulated, they can appear quite bright, and some of them even seem ingenious or brilliant. I have even known folks in the 106-108 range who fell into this category. With people in this group, it is “what you put into your mind that matters.” And among the 116-117 IQ folks, I seriously questioned whether they were not as bright as I was. The ones that have worked their brains very hard can appear extremely intelligent.
This is an interesting group. An IQ in the 115 range should be enough to get any sort of Masters Degree (MSW, LCSW) or a nursing degree. These fields pay very well.
I figure anyone with an IQ over 100 can get a Bachelor’s Degree without a lot of difficulty.
As far as a Doctorate goes, I have always felt an IQ of 120+ might be required. With an IQ under 120, you may be able to get one, but you would have to work very hard.
People with IQ’s in this range can nevertheless achieve great intellectual feats. For instance, James Watson, the man who discovered the double helix structure of DNA, has a mere IQ of 117, yet his intellectual crown achievement ranks among the top in our modern era. I believe he also obtained a doctorate. Not that it’s can’t be done. In the case of Watson, we may be dealing with the unknown factor of creativity, which is not measured on IQ tests. Watson was also apparently a highly ruthless man and it is argued that he stole the discovery of a female scientist and called it his own.