Joseph Kogan

Stamps 1693 Scholar Joseph

Hometown

New York, NY (Hunter College High School)

Academic Interests

Biology, History, Computational & Applied Mathematics & Statistics

Why W&M

My relationship with William & Mary began, like the most important things in life sometimes do, completely by chance. I read a lot about the college online in the middle of my application process, and despite living far enough away that an in-person visit would have been difficult, I was immediately intrigued. There was a strange air of uniqueness about every aspect of this place—its eclectic traditions and history, its relatively recent ascension to the status of a major research university, and its down-to-earth professors somehow focusing 100% of their energy on pedagogy. So, I applied as an afterthought, thinking the school would be low on my list.

As for many of peers, everything changed when I was notified in January of my selection as a semi-finalist for the 1693 Scholars Program. I was taken aback, mostly because it came as a complete surprise, but also because, upon reading about the unfamiliar program, I couldn’t believe that such truly personal and student-focused opportunities could exist in college. I decided to push through my unwillingness to do more work on my college applications, and went through the remaining portions of the selection process. Step after step, I was convinced that at some point I’d hit a wall and be notified that my application had fallen short of the program’s standards.

And so it was that I found myself somewhere in rural Virginia in the middle of my finalist weekend, making friends as quickly among the finalist cohort as among the current scholars. Of course, I was thoroughly impressed with the individualized academic advising, easy access to truly unique scientific research on campus, and rigorous intellectual standards of the program. But what really got me was the warm and welcoming attitude exuded by every single current scholar—and the finalists too!—and the immediate openness of their nerdy, intelligent community. When I got the call with my scholarship offer, I was initially conflicted because I was choosing against another prestigious, undergraduate-focused institution. But, after consulting with my parents and friends, I realized that there would have simply been no way to immediately access advanced and varied academic or research opportunities at colleges that aren’t as invested in undergraduate growth as William & Mary. I could not be happier with my decision, and I’m excited to have the privilege of joining this vibrant community!

High School Activities

Violinist, Hunter College High School Senior Strings and Chamber Strings
Saber fencer, Tim Morehouse Fencing Club
Founder and Co-President, Culinary Union of Radical Digesters (CURDS, cheese club)
Summer 2024 Clinical and Research Intern, Weill Cornell Medicine Emergency Department
Tutor (mathematics, sciences, and language), The Relume Foundation; UPChieve; Girls are Great at Math; Hunter College High School
Co-Vice President and violinist, Hunter Klezmer Society (klezmer performance group)
Musician volunteer, The Happiness Factory (performances at senior centers and nursing homes)
Student Researcher and Seminarian, 69th Annual Washington Seminar on Government in Action (Hunter College High School)
Editor-in-Chief, Hunter Global: The Multilingual Journal (foreign language publication)
Student Mentor, Hunter College High School Writing Center

Awards / Distinctions

Award for Dedication to the Hunter College High School Strings Program
Award for Excellence in AP French
Hazel Goodale Award for Excellence in English
Elsbeth Kroeber Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in Biology
Harry D. Ruderman Award for Stimulating Interest in and Enthusiasm for the Study of Mathematics
Helen E. Witmer Award for Academic Excellence and Distinction in History and the Social Studies
The Life of the Mind Award (school-wide award for “students who, by commitment to the life of the mind as well by general academic excellence, reflect the humanist tradition”)
Commended Scholar, National Merit Scholarship Program (2024)
Gold Award, Le Grand Concours, American Association of Teachers of French (2023)