Kate Carline
Murray 1693 Scholar
Hometown
Prosper, TX (Rock Hill HS)
Areas of Interest
Biochemistry, public policy, and bioethics
Why W&M
My journey to William & Mary began long before college was on my radar. My mother, a history buff, had visited Williamsburg with my sister while I was at a policy summer camp in Washington, DC. Their raving reviews of the town and the campus re-emerged when I was applying to colleges, and it inspired me to take a serious look at this school halfway across the country.
William & Mary hooked me early on. The number one criteria for me in my search was to find a college that would offer real opportunities for research, including hands-on experiences, to undergraduates. My interests are diverse, particularly at the intersection between the sciences and public policy. I wanted to find a campus that would embrace my curiosity for multiple disciplines and help me get a feeling for what pursuing this could look like in terms of a real academic journey and a meaningful career. William & Mary was clearly leaning in to do exactly that; from the research symposiums to funding undergraduates’ own initiatives, I knew that I would be supported and challenged to explore my passions.
But it really was setting foot on the William & Mary campus for the first time that made me realize that this place was destined to be my new home. Not only did I hear first-hand from students and professors about what specific opportunities could be pursued, and see the impressive resources available, but I met amazing people that made me immediately feel part of The Tribe. The turning point came about 5 minutes into an enthusiastically nerdy conversation about applying physics to the arts with an inspirational William & Mary senior, who was also (spelling differences aside) named “Cait” and from Texas - it was clearly a sign. The meaningful, handwritten letters I had received following my application were true; those who go here belong here, and I just knew I belonged.
W&M Activities
- International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) -- Team Member
- Geopolitics of Technology Initiative -- Research Analyst
- Phage Lab -- Undergraduate Researcher
- Global Scholars Program -- Scholar
- Women In Stem -- Secretary
High School Activities
- Speech and Debate Team - President
- Student Council - Chairperson, Community Service
- Student Counseling Program “Ask Rocky” - Founder and Chairperson
- FIRST Robotics Team - Member
- Superintendent’s Advisory Council - Representative
- Principal’s Advisory Council - Representative
- Marching and Concert Band - Member, Flute
- Recreational Swim Team - Member and Lifeguard, Youth Council President
Awards / Distinctions
- Class Valedictorian
- National Speech and Debate Association's District Student of the Year at the June 2022 National Championship Tournament
- National Semifinalist in Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking for the National Speech and Debate Association
- State Finalist in Impromptu Speaking for the Texas Forensic Association
- State Finalist in both Congressional Speaking and Persuasive Speaking for the University Interscholastic League
- Adelle McClendon Young Leader Scholar
- National Honor Society
- Société Honoraire Française (French Honor Society)
- Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society)
- AP Scholar with Distinction
- National Merit Commended Scholar
- Certified in Autodesk Inventor
