Max Toso, a freshman at the University of Wisconsin - Madison and Wisconsin native, is the winner of Kaplan Test Prep's 25K Your Way Sweepstakes. Kaplan created this national sweepstakes a decade ago to offer college students and young professionals - many of whom aspire to enroll in graduate, business, law or medical school - a chance to start their own business, pay off student loans or pay tuition to earn a higher degree. Max's name was selected at random out of tens of thousands of entries from across the United States and Canada.

When Max got the phone call on January 2 that he won, he could hardly believe it. "I'm not one to look for freebies or get something that I didn't work for, so entering sweepstakes and spending time thinking about winning have never been big priorities," said Max who barely remembers even entering. Max, whose first job was as a caddy at a country club when he was 13 years old, only truly believed he won when a Kaplan representative emailed him some official documents to sign. "Then it hit me," he said. "My life was about to change."

The 19-year-old biomedical engineering major and business minor said, "Until I won the Kaplan Test Prep sweepstakes, I wasn't even planning on going for a higher degree. I was planning to go straight into the workforce." While Max isn't exactly sure what kind of advanced degree he'll seek, he's interested in working in medicine, medical technology or maybe management where an MBA may fit into his plans.

Earlier this month, Max began training for his upcoming internship with College Works Painting, which provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for college students while they are on summer break to run their very own painting franchise.

Max is a native of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, a town just east of Madison. He attended Monona Grove High School where he graduated in 2013. He's also a huge fan of Badger athletics. "You can pretty much ask anyone how the teams are doing and they will know," Max said.

As for what he'll do with at least part of the $25,000 in the short term, Max said, "I don't have any immediate plans to splurge on myself, though I'd love to help my parents fix up their kitchen. Mom has been talking about new countertops. I'll also take out my friends for a celebratory dinner even though almost none of them believed I won! The rest I plan to invest and save for graduate school."

A once sweepstakes cynic, Max has turned a new leaf. "It can happen to you. I was not expecting it. Just keep your mind open. Sometimes people just really want to help you. No catches. I want to give a huge thanks to Kaplan for this amazing, lucky opportunity, which has opened up a lot of new pathways in my life," he said.

For more information about Kaplan Test Prep's sweepstakes and winner, contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538.

About Kaplan Test Prep

Kaplan Test Prep (www.kaptest.com) is a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Established in 1938, Kaplan is the world leader in the test prep industry. With a comprehensive menu of online offerings as well as a complete array of print books and digital products, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 90 standardized tests, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school, as well as professional licensing exams for attorneys, physicians and nurses. Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services.

Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Graham Holdings Company (NYSE:GHC)

Press:
Kaplan Test Prep
Russell Schaffer, 212-453-7538
russell.schaffer@kaplan.com
Twitter: @KapTestNews