About Us
Our approach & our team
College can be a launchpad for everything that comes next—but figuring out where a student belongs can feel like a lot for the whole family. That’s why we’re here.
How we work
A simple four-step process
- 01
Find Your Focus
We help students discover their interests through guided self-exploration, classes, activities, and summer opportunities that align with their goals.
- 02
Build Your Strengths
Together we identify the experiences worth highlighting—so students gain confidence, and parents can see a clear plan taking shape.
- 03
Tell Your Story
We turn ideas into action—organizing activities, shaping essays, and connecting with recommenders so each student’s story comes through clearly.
- 04
Choose Your Best-Fit
When offers arrive, we help families compare campuses and decide which college feels like the best academic, social, and personal fit.
Our team
Meet the counselors behind CollegePrep.
Meet Sam
Founder
Sam earned a PsyD in Psychology from the University of Southern California and completed a postdoctoral College Counseling Certificate at UCLA. His professional background includes working in admissions at the Claremont Colleges and within the California State University system, as well as consulting with high schools and universities across the U.S. and internationally.
He founded CollegePrep in Los Angeles in 2007 with a highly personalized approach to college consulting and later expanded the practice to Louisville, Kentucky. Almost 20 years later, he is proud of the lasting relationships CollegePrep has built with students and their families from across the U.S. and around the world.
Sam is an active member of OACAC, HECA, and NACAC—keeping his guidance current, ethical, and informed.
Think of Sam as a personal coach and advocate for students and parents—someone who will guide the process, answer questions, celebrate progress, and provide steady reassurance along the way.
Meet Kelly
Educator & college consultant
A proud native of eastern Kentucky, Kelly earned a BA in English Literature and Theatre, an MA in School Counseling, and a Rank 1 in Instructional Leadership and School Supervision from Western Kentucky University.
She began her career in 1992 as an English and Drama teacher, later serving as Assistant Principal and Principal, then as Supervisor of Federal Programs. During that time, she partnered with Dr. Case and CollegePrep to develop a selective college admissions program—an experience that sparked her passion for college counseling.
Kelly joined Sam and CollegePrep as a consultant in 2022, bringing more than 30 years of experience as an English teacher, school principal, and district administrator. For the past five years, she has been honored to counsel students from coast to coast and around the globe.
She especially enjoys the creative process of the Common App personal essay—from early brainstorming to final polish—so students feel proud of their authorship and excited to share their story.
Confidence. Their story. Let’s go.
College planning is serious—but for students and parents, it can also be meaningful and even enjoyable.