Sam Lee – Pioneer in U.S. IVY and Top University Admissions Strategy and Acclaimed Education
Leader
Sam Lee (Korean name: Sang-Young Lee) is the founder and president of several leading U.S. education organizations, including: - College Planning Corp.
(www.collegepco.org) – a premier college admissions consulting firm - CPC Prep (www.ACT-36.com) – a test prep company specializing in ACT, SAT, and standardized test preparation - Study Hall U.S.
(www.studyhallus.com) – a med and dental preparation program (MCAT/DAT) - US Ivy Homestay (www.usivyhomestay.com) – a consulting service for international high school admissions in the
U.S.
He is also the founder and president of the Aspiring Youth Foundation, and has devoted over 30 years to the field of U.S. education, building a reputation
as one of the most trusted voices in elite college admissions.
Sam Lee has successfully guided hundreds of students to Ivy League and top-tier U.S. universities, and authored multiple English-language strategy guides on
elite admissions, all of which are widely read and acclaimed on Amazon. His flagship company, College Planning Corp., operates three offices in the greater Chicago area, a branch in Korea, and
affiliated teaching centers in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, and New Jersey.
Together with CPC Prep and Study Hall U.S., his team includes over 80 dedicated admissions specialists and educators.
As a highly sought-after lecturer, Sam frequently speaks at universities, high schools, and educational institutions both in the U.S. and internationally.
He has played a key role in bridging the U.S. education system with Korean and Asian communities around the world. His academic journey began at Korea University’s Graduate School of Public
Administration, after which he worked as a journalist in Seoul. In 1993, he moved to the U.S. to study at Indiana University Bloomington, later pursuing doctoral coursework in public administration
at Auburn University—a program he paused due to the IMF crisis. During his academic years, he served as a reporter and editor for his university's English-language campus newspaper, honing his skills
in research, writing, and editorial leadership—skills that continue to inform his work as an author and education columnist.
In 1997, Sam resumed his journalism career at the Chicago bureau of the JoongAng Ilbo, where he later became Editor-in-Chief in 2008. During his tenure, he
played a vital role in linking the Korean-American community to mainstream education, notably co-hosting large-scale College Fairs with McDonald’s USA—a pioneering effort in community engagement and
education outreach. Following this, Sam worked at one of the largest and most established U.S. college consulting firms for two years, gaining extensive experience in admissions and financial aid
(FAFSA/CSS Profile) strategies.
His major publications include: - IVY League Prep: College Internship, Research Opportunities, and Summer Programs (2019) - Summer College for High School
Students (2018) - Successful Application Essays: How to Write Ivy League and Prestigious College Essays (2019) These books have been praised as practical and strategic guides by students and parents
preparing for competitive university admissions.
Sam Lee is also the publisher of two academic journals that showcase outstanding student research: - The Aspiring Scientists – A peer-reviewed journal for
high school and college science students - The Top Journal – A journal for high school and college students in the social sciences These journals host national academic conferences annually, offering
young researchers opportunities to present their work and develop their scholarly potential.
Currently, Sam contributes as an education columnist for the JoongAng Ilbo and The Korea Times, where he shares expert insights on U.S. college admissions
trends and financial aid policies. A committed Christian, Sam serves as a deacon at his local church in the northern suburbs of Chicago. He is a proud husband and father of two, devoted to both his
family and his mission to empower the next generation of scholars.
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