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Maximus Krasinski—the grand-prize winner of this year’s PSI Chapter scholarship program—gleaned the kind of effusive praise from his references that most of us could only dream of receiving.
In addition to recognizing Max’s “superior intellectual aptitude”—reflected in his 4.2 unweighted GPA—his references from Bremen High School (Bremen, Ga.) applauded his “great mathematical insights” and appreciated his initiative to seek academic challenges beyond the classroom. For instance, in addition to taking his high school’s AP classes in government, calculus, and economics, Max went beyond his school’s offerings and enrolled in additional AP courses through the Georgia Virtual School in calculus, physics, economics, and statistics.
And he managed to excel in his demanding coursework while serving as director of football operations for his schools’ team during his sophomore and junior years, participating in clubs (including serving as president of the Technology Student Association at his school), attending shooting practice as a member of the West Georgia Youth Shotgun team, and working as a soccer referee and farm hand. No surprise, then, that Max’s references said he has superior organizational and time management skills.
All of the above abilities and experiences undoubtedly will serve Max well as he begins his first semester at Georgia Tech. PSI caught up with Max as he settled into his dorm to ask him to reflect on his accomplishments so far and his plans for the future.
How do you feel about being chosen as the PSI scholarship grand-prize winner? I feel amazing! It was a great surprise when I got the phone call that I was the recipient. I called my parents right afterward, and they shared the same excitement that I did.
How will the PSI scholarship help with your ongoing education? The PSI scholarship will help me enter my first semester without any debt, which my parents and I appreciate.
What was your most meaningful high school class? Your most challenging? Your favorite? Why? My high school calculus class was by far the best. It was also my favorite and the most challenging. Much of the subject matter was new to me, and I had to work through tasks and problems and ask questions along the way. My calc teacher became an important mentor for me. She helped me with tribulations in school and assisted me in numerous classes as well as in applying for college.
What has been your proudest achievement so far? Getting into Georgia Tech.
What are your greatest strengths? In school, my greatest strength was math. Outside of school, I work well in a team.
What are you passionate about? I am passionate about my education, where it has already gotten me, and where it will take me in the future. I am also passionate about skeet shooting.
Tell us something about you that would surprise people. I did ballet for one year with my girlfriend.
What do you like to do in your free time? I love hanging out with my girlfriend, family, and friends. I also break things apart and put them back together to understand how they work.
How do you feel about finishing high school and entering college? It was a big relief to finish high school. I didn’t have the best high school experience due to bullying and not having many friends, but I pulled through. For me, high school was a means to the end, a stepping stone to Georgia Tech and adulthood.
Why did you decide to attend Georgia Tech? It has always been a dream of mine ever since I was young. My uncle—who was very much like me when he was my age—went to GT. He reminded me that there are like-minded people everywhere I turn on campus. No matter who you are or where you came from, somebody always wants to be your friend.
In high school, I also realized my real passion is designing, making, and optimizing almost anything. My high school’s engineering teacher taught me everything I could want to know about 3D CAD [computer-aided design], and he shared his love of engineering with me. I’m just grateful I can attend a college where there are like-minded people with the same education and career goals.
What will be your major—and what are your career aspirations related to that major? My major at GT is mechanical engineering. After my sophomore year, I want to do a co-op of some kind. After college, I want to work hands-on in whatever I do. I don't want to just sit in an office and design things, but rather design, produce, and use my creation.
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