In an earlier post, we kicked off a Kaplan GMAT student success story series.  We want to share our students’ successes to inspire you to reach for your goals because they are attainable.  In fact, your goals are so important to us that you can win cash and prizes just by telling us about them!  We want to know:  Where will you take you?^TM

Jeff Gibbard never had a problem with creativity. But in order to get his social business agency off the ground, he needed to give himself a left-brain advantage. After preparing for the GMAT with Kaplan, he got a scholarship to Drexel’s fast-track MBA program and eventually founded his own social business agency.

Q: Why did you decide to get an MBA?

My undergrad degree was in film and media arts. During my studies I explored other creative outlets such as photography, graphic design and basic web development. I tried to start a few businesses, and it quickly became very clear that, in order to reach my full potential, I needed a business education.

Q: So after you decided to go for an MBA, what was the biggest surprise about what it takes to get into business school?

I can’t say that anything really “surprised” me, but it was definitely an adjustment trying to juggle work, a relationship, studying for the GMAT and getting everything together for my MBA application. I had done my research, so I knew what to expect, but knowing what needs to get done, and actually doing it, are not the same thing. I was also a bit nervous about how competitive my top schools were.

Q: What did you do to become competitive?

In all honesty, Kaplan helped a lot. My first GMAT score prior to my GMAT course did not cut it.  A strong GMAT score was necessity to get into my top choice schools. I knew I could get a good enough score, but I also knew I needed help to get there. It was honestly the best decision I made on the road to business school. Kaplan’s GMAT prep course allowed me to raise my score to such an extent it translated into not only admission into the program of my choice, but also a scholarship to go there.

Q: And now?

Now I run my own company, doing exactly what I dreamed of doing one day. My company, TrueVoiceMedia, lets me apply my creative skills everyday while using everything I learned in graduate school to grow my business by virtue of helping others grow theirs. I love what I do, and I know I couldn’t have gotten here without getting my MBA degree. I also know that I wouldn’t have been able to receive that education if I hadn’t made the choice to get competitive and raise my GMAT score. So, sincerely, thank you for the role you played in my success. I am very grateful.

Now that you’ve read about where Jeff took himself, we’d like to hear from you! Where will you take yourself? Tell us what lies in your future, what your ambitions are, how you’re going to leave your mark on this world. In short, tell us what and who you’re going to be. We want to hear the story of the “future you”—in 120 characters or less—and give you the chance to win cash and a free Kaplan course. Click here to enter.