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Maxwell Tobin

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Bio

Hey there! My name is Maxwell Singer Tobin, an 18-year-old valedictorian from Franklin High School attending Duke University next fall and double majoring in Electrical & Computer Engineering and Computer Science, with a minor in Finance and a certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Hailing from a Jewish background in a largely Christian community, I’ve always embraced diversity. Raised by a single mother, every penny counts, and a scholarship would greatly lighten our financial load. Overcoming anxiety taught me stoic resilience, and the loss of my uncle to ALS motivates my passion to innovate the technological world. In high school, I co-founded our Data Science Club, managed DECA chapter finances, led the Robotics and varsity soccer teams, and impacted over 125 students across seven schools as New England Director for KidsCapital, Inc. I’ve used soccer to connect with my community and youth programs and used my perfect SAT math score to start Tobin Tutoring, an affordable group tutoring company tackling the elitist nature of the industry. I aspire to be an innovator, entrepreneur, investor, teacher, philanthropist, and life-long learner. Leveraging my future skills in engineering and finance, I aim to create companies and foundations that make people’s lives easier and more equitable. I’ll continue to promote financial literacy education, devote resources to ALS research, and strive to generate widespread goodwill and equal opportunities for generations to come. Your support would catalyze not just my dreams but the dreams of those I hope to impact. Thank you!

Education

Duke University

Bachelor's degree program
2023 - 2027
  • Majors:
    • Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
    • Computer Science
    • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Minors:
    • Data Science
    • Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
    • Finance and Financial Management Services

Franklin High

High School
2019 - 2023

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Finance and Financial Management Services
    • Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
    • Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
    • Electromechanical Engineering
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Economics
    • Computer Science
    • Data Science
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Renewables & Environment

    • Dream career goals:

      Company Founder

    • Founder, Designer

      Deltallect
      2022 – Present2 years
    • Founder, President

      Data Science Club
      2022 – 20231 year
    • Co-Founder, Tutor

      Tobin Tutoring
      2023 – Present1 year
    • New England Director

      KidsCapital, Inc.
      2021 – Present3 years
    • Data Technology Quality Assurance Intern

      Buyers Edge Platform
      2022 – 2022
    • Soccer Coach

      Downtown Sports
      2016 – Present8 years

    Sports

    Ultimate Frisbee

    Intramural
    2023 – 2023

    Soccer

    Varsity
    2019 – 20234 years

    Arts

    • School Orchestra

      Music
      2013 – 2020

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Science National Honor Society — Group Leader
      2021 – 2023
    • Volunteering

      Math National Honor Society — Math Tutor
      2022 – 2023
    • Advocacy

      Student Government — Class Representative
      2022 – 2023
    • Volunteering

      VolunTeens at the Franklin Public Library — Helped to Organize the Library
      2021 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Kids Capital — Teach financial topics to spread financial literacy; cover personal finance, economics, investing, and entrepreneurship
      2021 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Franklin Youth Soccer Association — Head Coach of 3rd-4th Grade Boys Soccer Team
      2020 – Present

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    Colby R. Eggleston and Kyla Lee Entrepreneurship Award
    In the etymological roots of 'engineer,' we find 'ingeniare,' which means to create or contrive. It implies that at the heart of engineering lies the spark of innovation, the seed of creativity, and the spirit of entrepreneurship. As an aspiring entrepreneur with a fervor for technical expertise, my journey mirrors this intrinsic relationship between engineering and entrepreneurship. This journey isn't simply about generating profit but about innovating solutions, transforming communities, and leaving a lasting impact. One of my ventures, Tobin Tutoring, underscores this innovative approach. Conventional tutoring often evokes images of one-on-one, high-priced sessions. My co-founder and I dared to challenge this norm. Guided by the principle of shared learning, we offer group tutoring sessions, nurturing an environment of mutual growth, shared insights, and peer-to-peer accountability. Our disruptive model was immediately impactful: Within the first week, we generated $3,000 in revenue, supported over twenty students, and were able to offer free sessions for the underserved in our community. This approach not only democratizes learning but also fosters a community that thrives on collective achievement. It is a testament to how entrepreneurial thought, when entwined with engineering a solution, can lead to a disruption of the norm. Minutemen Auto Detailing, my forthcoming venture, mirrors this spirit of ingenuity and initiative. Growing up in the greater Boston area, I was inspired by the values of the Minutemen of Massachusetts, ordinary people who exhibited extraordinary readiness and resilience during the Battle of Lexington & Concord. Just as they stood prepared at a moment's notice, we, too, commit to delivering top-notch services swiftly and efficiently to our clients in the auto detailing sector. By offering our initial services for free in exchange for honest reviews, we strive to establish credibility and demonstrate our dedication to delivering quality services. Beyond entrepreneurship, my journey reflects a commitment to hard work and perseverance. Despite not being the naturally smartest in the room, I excelled academically and was honored with valedictorian of my high school class, affirming that tenacity, grit, and hard work can lead to success. This lesson has fortified my resolve to succeed in all my entrepreneurial pursuits, shaping my goal to create companies that simplify life, generate goodwill, and foster inclusive communities. I will be attending Duke University next fall and have aligned my academic pursuits strategically with my entrepreneurial ambitions. I plan to double major in Electrical & Computer Engineering and Computer Science to grasp the technical acumen critical in today's digital age. These disciplines equip me to engineer innovative solutions essential for the renewable energy sector I aim to disrupt. A minor in finance furnishes me with robust financial literacy, enabling informed decisions about investments, budgeting, and financial planning, which is crucial for the successful growth of any enterprise. Further enriching this blend is a certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship, arming me with practical knowledge to identify opportunities, devise viable business models, and foster an entrepreneurial mindset. Such a skill set is pivotal in reshaping the renewable energy landscape. Looking towards the future, I envision my journey as an embodiment of an 'engineer'—creatively designing and constructing paths where none may exist. Every venture I'll undertake, each innovative solution I'll devise, and all the communities I'll impact are destined to be testaments to the harmonious fusion of engineering and entrepreneurship I aim to foster. After all, the goal isn't merely about generating revenue or acclaim. It's about the ceaseless endeavor to contrive, create, and engineer a better world. For in the heart of every engineer lies an entrepreneur ready to shape the world, just as the word 'ingeniare' gave birth to 'engineer' itself.
    John F. Puffer, Sr. Smile Scholarship
    As a student from Franklin, Massachusetts, I found myself in a familiar setting, sitting across a classmate struggling with a complex algebra problem. His numerous failed attempts had begun to show, as he looked like he was about to toss his pencil down in defeat. But where he saw a dead-end, I saw an opportunity—a chance to inspire change, to turn a setback into a stepping stone. Here, I realized that anyone’s actions hold the potential to change lives. This sense of responsibility, derived from my academic success, has led me to find purpose and fulfillment within and beyond my high school. Rising to Valedictorian of a class of 430, founding and leading my high school’s first Data Science Club, and launching multiple businesses, I’ve always strived for excellence. Yet, I’ve discovered that true success lies not merely in individual accolades but in the ability to shine a light on others. Ever since I first kicked a soccer ball at three years old, the sport has been a beacon guiding my personal growth. A 12-year journey through the Franklin Soccer Club and FHS Varsity team led to an early coaching opportunity in sixth grade, selected for my ability to learn quickly and lead. On my first day, I met a shy first-grader named Luke. Sharing a reserved nature myself, I could empathize with him, convinced I could be a friend and mentor like my coach was to me. Over time, I watched him become one of the best players on his team and observed the direct impact I had on him. This tangible evidence of the positive power of mentorship propelled me into a role as a volunteer head coach for a Franklin Youth Academy team and later into starting my own private coaching business. Throughout, I’ve realized the profound difference personal connection can make, witnessing how the right blend of challenge and support can inspire others to strive, excel, and ultimately shine. With this in mind, and inspired by the joy of witnessing a fellow student’s eureka moment, my friend and I co-founded a peer-to-peer group tutoring initiative: Tobin Tutoring. Our aim wasn’t only to instill knowledge but to motivate and inspire students to love learning as we do. The launch’s success, marked by $3,000 in revenue and the opportunity to guide over twenty students in the first week, confirmed our efforts. As we prepare to expand, we maintain a steadfast commitment to inclusivity, offering free sessions for the underserved because every student deserves an equal shot at academic success. Amidst nurturing my entrepreneurial spirit through Tobin Tutoring, I also volunteer as the New England Director for KidsCapital Inc., a non-profit dedicated to elevating global financial literacy. With the opportunity to work one-on-one with elementary and middle school students and lead my own group of student-teachers, this role has expanded my horizon, showing me that leadership isn’t about being in charge but about taking care of those in your charge. As I coordinated with school principals and district superintendents, I was reminded of the importance of our mission and the impact on the lives of the students we teach. Through these initiatives, I’ve sought to touch lives, improve my community, and create a legacy beyond academic accomplishment. It’s a rewarding journey that teaches me the value of empathy, dedication, and service every day. In the end, it’s not about the money made or the titles earned; it’s about the smiles you bring, the lives you transform, and the communities you uplift. After all, the true measure of success lies in the impact you leave behind.