Building Your College List
Just Got Easy

Building Your College List
Just Got Easy

Most students stress about applying to college. We help students discover their target careers, identify the best schools to get them there, and craft an application that stands out so they apply with confidence.

Most students stress about applying to college. We help students discover their target careers, identify the best schools to get them there, and craft an application that stands out so they apply with confidence.

Book Your Free Consultation Now

FREE TUTORIAL

How to discover your best-fit schools and apply with confidence:

  • Without campus tours or tense family talks
  • Without feeling overwhelmed and alone
  • With an application that sets you apart

How to discover your best-fit schools and apply with confidence:

  • Without campus tours or tense family talks

  • Without feeling overwhelmed and alone

  • With an application that sets you apart

Hosted by Ben Marley

LEARN

Why Your College List Matters

Roughly one third of college freshmen drop out before sophomore year. Another third of college students transfer at some point, which adds 1-2 extra years to their “four-year degree.” On average this costs families an extra $36,250. 

 
But what if you could avoid all of this by simply getting it right the first time?

How it works:

 

1. Our top-rated instructors will guide you to discover your ideal career and the best schools to get you there.
 
2. You’ll receive our detailed instruction and the necessary resources over a few short group meetings.
 
3. Apply the strategies with confidence and crush your college applications.

1. Our top-rated instructors will guide you to discover your ideal career and the best schools to get you there.

 

2. You’ll receive our detailed instruction and the necessary resources over a few short group meetings.

 

3. Apply the strategies with confidence and crush your college applications.

Our coaching has received 230+ 5-star reviews on Wyzant

★★★★★ 5/5

What our clients say:

Finding the best college for Bella felt like looking for a needle in a haystack. I wanted help getting her into the best college (best resources, place to find connection, education) that she had a chance of being accepted at- help with understanding what the best fit for her would be.
-L.S.Mom
My biggest concern was choosing the right colleges for Andrew and making sure Andrew’s application package would be strong and that the colleges he applies to are interested in him.
-LisaMom
Our school counselor was holding horrible zoom calls, she wasn't reaching out to kids that wanted to go to college. The kids that wanted to do more were left on their own. I knew we needed help and I wanted to find someone that was personable and limited how many kids were in the program.
-DottieMom
I felt overwhelmed, and the process seemed very different than when I applied to college. I wanted help navigating the process and felt it would be worthwhile leveraging someone who had more expertise in the area and could offer individualized attention. You were looking at the whole picture. I liked that you thought about career goals and seemed to gear your focus on the whole person.
-L.S.Mom
Brooke was so stressed and confused. She didn't know where she was at in any process to start college applications. You were very reachable by text and weekly zoom meetings. She got to listen in on other kids talking about where they were in the process. (This was a Big Deal to her, these group meetings!) Ben you were very helpful taking all Brooke's leadership activities and putting into words all that made her a wonderful student to have on campus.
-DottieMom
You connect with Bella and offer her good advice. Every time I have had a question, you gave me very specific answers that go beyond a simple yes or no. You have a deep, intimate understanding of the nuances of the college admissions process that you can easily communicate and share with me.
L.S.Mom
You seem very knowledgeable about the college application process and you’re very good at getting Andrew focused on the importance of taking this all very seriously. It’s obvious that you really care about Andrew’s success in this process.
LisaMom
It was nice to have you keeping Grace on task with deadlines and other items that needed to be done for admission and scholarship opportunities.
TinaMom
Ben we are so glad to have met you and it's almost been a year now! Brooke is happy and ( if you don't have a child psychology degree you should get one!) , well you did a great job giving my daughter confidence! She's glad she can jump on your zoom calls still. Thank you so much.
DottieMom
It has been extremely helpful to have Ben's support during the college admissions process. He is accessible, knowledgeable and offers creative solutions, great resources and increases my daughter's independence and confidence.
L.S.Mom
It was nice to have someone else that my child could talk to about college. Sometimes those discussions with a parent and a child can be tense and I liked knowing she had an independent party to talk to.
TinaMom
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Next
Finding the best college for Bella felt like looking for a needle in a haystack. I wanted help getting her into the best college (best resources, place to find connection, education) that she had a chance of being accepted at- help with understanding what the best fit for her would be.
-L.S.Mom
My biggest concern was choosing the right colleges for Andrew and making sure Andrew’s application package would be strong and that the colleges he applies to are interested in him.
-LisaMom
Our school counselor was holding horrible zoom calls, she wasn't reaching out to kids that wanted to go to college. The kids that wanted to do more were left on their own. I knew we needed help and I wanted to find someone that was personable and limited how many kids were in the program.
-DottieMom
I felt overwhelmed, and the process seemed very different than when I applied to college. I wanted help navigating the process and felt it would be worthwhile leveraging someone who had more expertise in the area and could offer individualized attention. You were looking at the whole picture. I liked that you thought about career goals and seemed to gear your focus on the whole person.
-L.S.Mom
Brooke was so stressed and confused. She didn't know where she was at in any process to start college applications. You were very reachable by text and weekly zoom meetings. She got to listen in on other kids talking about where they were in the process. (This was a Big Deal to her, these group meetings!) Ben you were very helpful taking all Brooke's leadership activities and putting into words all that made her a wonderful student to have on campus.
-DottieMom
You connect with Bella and offer her good advice. Every time I have had a question, you gave me very specific answers that go beyond a simple yes or no. You have a deep, intimate understanding of the nuances of the college admissions process that you can easily communicate and share with me.
L.S.Mom
You seem very knowledgeable about the college application process and you’re very good at getting Andrew focused on the importance of taking this all very seriously. It’s obvious that you really care about Andrew’s success in this process.
LisaMom
It was nice to have you keeping Grace on task with deadlines and other items that needed to be done for admission and scholarship opportunities.
TinaMom
Ben we are so glad to have met you and it's almost been a year now! Brooke is happy and ( if you don't have a child psychology degree you should get one!) , well you did a great job giving my daughter confidence! She's glad she can jump on your zoom calls still. Thank you so much.
DottieMom
It has been extremely helpful to have Ben's support during the college admissions process. He is accessible, knowledgeable and offers creative solutions, great resources and increases my daughter's independence and confidence.
L.S.Mom
It was nice to have someone else that my child could talk to about college. Sometimes those discussions with a parent and a child can be tense and I liked knowing she had an independent party to talk to.
TinaMom
Previous
Next
Book Your Free Consultation Now

About Our Founder

Dear Parent,


My name is Ben Marley, and my work is my passion. I have been a full-time College Admissions and Test Prep professional for the past 5 years and have several additional years of writing, editing, and tutoring experience. I do everything in my power to help others succeed.

I scored in the 99th percentile on the ACT & the 95th percentile on the SAT. I am a National Merit Scholar. I received academic full-ride offers from 5 universities and accepted scholarships totaling over $104,000 in 2003 (valued at $196,000 today), which enabled me to attain my goal of graduating from college debt-free. 

I have years of experience teaching SAT and ACT test prep (in person and online), and I was even hired by the College Board to grade essays on the SAT. I specialize in giving your child the absolute best experience. As I am extremely well-versed in ACT/SAT test prep, I design goals, programs, and even curricula to orchestrate a fantastic experience. Most tutoring companies dabble in a variety of subjects; ApplyHereFirst, however, is fully focused on what your child needs to succeed in the college admissions process. 

I am a grateful husband, loving father of three, and lover of adventure (my recent favorites include jumping off of the tallest bungee bridge in the world and cage diving with great white sharks). However, nothing is more rewarding to me than helping others identify their purpose and live up to their potential.

For schools and student organizations interested in booking speaking engagements on college admissions and increasing test scores, please email support@applyherefirst.com. 
Thanks for reading, and we look forward to working with you soon!

-Ben

Book Your Free Consultation Now

How to Discover 
Your Best-fit Schools and Apply with Confidence

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