Will Torg
Estes Family 1693 Scholar
Hometown
Arlington, VA (HB Woodlawn HS)
Academic Interests
Math, physics and applied science
Why W&M
Even though I am a lifelong Virginia resident, I knew relatively little about William & Mary for many years, besides the fact that I shared half the school’s name and saw signs for the campus on the way to Busch Gardens.
My first meaningful encounter with William & Mary occurred during sophomore year physics class. The teacher, a W&M alum, stood out as a truly brilliant and kind person. Conversations with him about his undergraduate research and physics classes left me tremendously excited for my academic future.
When college application season arrived, I had a clear picture of what I wanted. I looked at a wide variety of schools: large and small, public and private. Ultimately, I realized that William & Mary had much more to offer than merely sharing my name. In fact, the school offered a unique duality that appealed to my interests and goals. I would have access to abundant research opportunities, both independent and with professors, that were characteristic of a larger university. However, W&M also featured a smaller, close-knit academic community where I would be able to form meaningful connections with faculty.
The 1693 Finalist Weekend demonstrated that William & Mary went above and beyond fulfilling my academic criteria. As I engaged with the 1693 Scholars, I was inspired by the individual stories that their unique combinations of coursework and extracurriculars told. By the end of the weekend, I was sad to leave Williamsburg, but felt an overwhelming, unshakeable sense of having found home.
High School Activities
- Varsity Swim Team
- Model General Assembly
- Co-Chair of Technology Subcommittee - Student Advisory Board
- Science Fair Cohort
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Jazz Band
- Math Tutoring
- BC Calculus Teacher's Assistant
- Research Assistant/Intern at Resolution Economics
Awards / Distinctions
- National Merit Finalist
- Virginia Summer Governor's School for Mathematics, Science, and Technology
- AP Scholar with Distinction
- Regional Science Fair & Society Awards
