In 1927, when he was only fifteen years old, Gnedenko tried to enter the University of Saratov. However, he was too young to meet the official entry requirements and only after he kept arguing his case did Lunacharskii, the Soviet Minister of Education, personally recommend that he be allowed to enter university.
Sa 1927, kapag siya lamang ang labing-limang taong gulang, Gnedenko sinubukang ipasok ang University of Saratov. Gayunman, siya ay masyadong bata upang matugunan ang mga opisyal sa pagpasok at lamang matapos na siya tinupad arguing kanyang kaso ay Lunacharskii, ang Sobiyet Ministro ng Edukasyon, personal na pinapayo na siya ay pinapayagan na maglagay ng unibersidad.