But after getting offers from five Ivy League colleges, the boy from rural Southland is off to study at Yale.
Hailing from a farm in Winton, he said his expectations "couldn’t have been lower".
"These universities ... they always felt like they’re part of a different world."
On March 26, Mr Gill found out he had been accepted into Yale, Harvard, Wharton School, Dartmouth, and Brown universities.
"To open those portal updates and see the congratulations, it was just astounding."
The application process was "extensive", with the most time intensive aspect being the supplemental essays.
"I poured hundreds of hours into [supplemental essays] from August till the end of the year."
He has lived in a small rural community his whole life and attended Central Southland College.
"From year 11 to 13, I achieved eight NZQA scholarships and outstanding scholarships in physics, English and history."
Mr Gill was also head student and Dux at Central Southland College.
He enjoyed a wide variety of subjects at school but loved STEM and physics.
"I also love humanities and writing, all of those subjects."
He described his parents as "incredibly excited and thrilled", but said they would definitely prefer if he was studying closer to home. The decision on what university to choose was not an easy one.
"It came down to Harvard and Yale, those were the two ... it was a very tough decision and I did extensive research."
In the end, Mr Gill landed on Yale.
Having spoken to many people, a physics degree from Yale would "open the door into pretty much any industry I want". He spent two weeks there last year through the Yale Young Global Scholars Program and called it an "eye-opening experience".
"It really gave me a sense of that Yale atmosphere ... I could easily envision myself living there."
The realisation that he would be moving across the world hadn’t sunk in for him yet.
"My mind is more focused on the opportunities."
Mr Gill is looking forward to representing New Zealand and Southland on an international stage.
"To be able to do this from New Zealand, especially from rural Southland ... it was an incredibly proud experience."
