His teacher at the gymnasium, Moritz Hülsen, saw what an outstanding pupil he had in Thomae and coached him with additional work beyond the usual course of study. Thomae's work in mathematics was quite outstanding and it won for him a scholarship which he was awarded from October 1860.
Ang kanyang mga guro at ang himnasyo, Moritz Hülsen, nakakita kung ano ang natitirang mag-aaral niya sa Thomae at coached siya sa mga karagdagang trabaho na lampas sa karaniwang kurso ng pag-aaral. Thomae ng trabaho sa matematika ay lubos na natitirang at ito won para sa kanya ang isang scholarship na kung saan siya ay iginawad sa Oktubre 1860.