Alumni Spotlight: Marisin McLain ’22

What made you decide to double major in Cognitive Science and Art at Yale?

Sitting in the lecture hall of Introduction to Cognitive Science my first semester, the class I took just for fun quickly turned into an intellectual stimulant like no other I had experienced. The major perfectly embodies the multidisciplinary approach to learning I thrive on. In one single track, I am able to blend a rigorous scientific mode of learning with a more philosophical approach to theory, taking classes ranging from philosophy to psychology to linguistics, and everything in between.

But in my quest for this more traditional academic pathway, I could not resist the creative pull that has always guided me. At IMS and Hotchkiss, I never went a single year without taking an art class. That helped me realize how important it is to balance my other classes with a serious creative outlet. My art is how I make sense of the world and my feelings. So while I am still figuring out how I want to shape my course load for the next three years, art must irrevocably take its place in my classes.

How do you balance the two subjects?

Yale has a practically unlimited number of clubs on offer to its students, and I have poured myself into the arts through these. Every Tuesday and Thursday, I meet with Indigo, an art collective dedicated to scheduling consistent studio time to keep all of its members engaged with their practice. Both in and out of these spaces, some of my closest friendships began by showing each other our art and instantly bonding over a shared creative nature. My advisor is a professor at the School of Architecture, helping me to navigate building a mixed class schedule that balances my academic interests. At every turn, I have support systems in place that ensure balance and a genuine love of both subjects that keep me motivated. 

What inspires you as an artist?

Growing up with two artists as parents, I cannot recall a time when I did not view the world with visual precision. From the moment I could talk, I was asking my dad to draw the objects around us. “Truck!” “Ball!” I would cry, watching as he transformed the three-dimensional object before my eyes into a perfect 2D rendering on the page. When I finally gained the dexterity to grip a pencil, I immediately took to scribbling all over the drawings my dad dutifully produced, trying desperately to replicate his magical abilities. This deeply ingrained appreciation for the act of making and seeing has taught me to constantly slow down and appreciate the form of the world around me. And at the root of all these forms is light: the ever-present force that shapes what we see. My art aims to bring light to the forefront, trying to position it as the subject, rather than an element of composition. I am constantly trying to make the intangible tangible and delighting in the process that arises from this quest. 

What’s your favorite memory from your time at IMS?

Central to my time at IMS was a constant sense of belonging. Some of my favorite memories were made during early morning runs on the ski slopes. I felt such freedom carving out my turns, and I enjoyed it all the more for the friends I had racing behind me. The sadness of reaching the bottom of the slope was quickly quenched by the fun of riding up the lift together, united as a team in an otherwise individual sport. I would come back from skiing and immediately join a different team on the stage, as we rehearsed time and time again for the final performance. It was on that stage that people with such different interests and personalities blended into one another, lifting each other up to succeed. Even the little conversations at lunch echoed this fellowship among peers. Ultimately, being with people with such diverse perspectives is what made my IMS experience so special and memorable. 

How would you describe your transition from IMS to Hotchkiss?

IMS prepared me incredibly well for the large step into the schedule of a boarding school student. I learned from a young age critical academic skills: morning circle at the Lower Campus taught me the art of public speaking, mandatory sports showed me the gift of sportsmanship, and advanced material in my courses prepared me for the rigors of homework and testing at Hotchkiss. The diversity of IMS was also critical for shaping my broad worldview, allowing me to connect with friends from all over the globe with ease. 

Do you have any advice for current IMS students?

Do what you love and love what you do. It sounds cliché, but the best way to find motivation is to do that which excites you. Every class I take, or club I join, down to the books I read, is motivated by a genuine ardor for that subject. This commitment to allow my passions to guide me has helped me carve out a unique identity in any place I go and has created a sense of fulfillment for every endeavor. Stay true to yourself, and success will follow.