Mahmut Inanoglu

Murray 1693 Scholar

Hometown

Vienna, VA (James Madison High School)

Academic Interests

Computational & Applied Mathematics & Statistics, Physics, Economics, Computer Science, Math

Why W&M

The Lost and Found. A place I have visited more than I’d like to admit, after misplacing water bottles, lunch boxes, shoes, and various other everyday items. Each visit reminds me that loss teaches us something. Sometimes, when I lose something, I recognize through my lack of disappointment that it never mattered that much to me anyway. Other times, the grief I feel helps me understand how important it is to me.

When I was first selected as a semifinalist for the 1693 Scholars Program, I was excited, yet I still wasn’t sure if William & Mary was the place I wanted to spend the next four years. When I was informed that I was not selected for the Finalist Weekend, to say I was disappointed would be a dire understatement. I realized in that moment what I had lost: small classes with professors who truly wanted to teach, broad research opportunities for undergraduates, and above all, a community. I recognized then that through doing more of a deep dive into what William & Mary was all about, I had become attached. Tragically, I only grasped how great of a school and of an opportunity it was until I had lost it.

To my great surprise and joy, I was informed a few days later that a spot had opened up for Finalist Weekend. As I met more students and professors over the weekend, my decision became clear. As soon as Professor Cristol called to offer me a place in the 1693 class, I frantically said, “Yes!” making sure I didn’t lose what I had miraculously found: A place I felt I belonged to not just for four years, but the rest of my life. 

High School Activities

• Vice President, Investment Club
• Officer, Science Olympiad
• Varsity Athlete and Captain, Cross Country and Track & Field
• Instructor, Mathnasium
• Treasurer, National Honor Society
• Officer, Rho Kappa and Holocaust Transcription Program
• Instructor, ICodeLab FCPS Library
• Vice President, MadCode
• Volunteer Coach, VYI Cross Country and Track & Field
• Member, DECA
• Member, Math Honor Society

Awards / Distinctions

• Husky Investment Tournament champion
• 2nd Place in DECA SLC Independent Business Plan
• 1st Place in Fermi Questions Fairfax Regional
• 2nd Place in Fairfax Regional Science Fair: Engineering Technology: Statics and Dynamics
• 4x Science Olympiad State Finalist
• AMC10 Distinction Award
• 2x AIME Qualifier
• VYI Scholarship