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Kevin McMullin

Kevin McMullin is the founder and Head of Talent at Collegewise. He is the author of If the U Fits: Expert Advice on Finding the Right College and Getting Accepted and pens at least one entry every day here on his blog. Kevin is a graduate of UC Irvine with majors in English and history (where he answered, “What will you do with those majors?” approximately 783 times), and he has a college counseling certificate from UCLA.

College Essays

5 College Essay Examples & What to Avoid
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By Kevin McMullin
July 15, 2022 | 7 minute read

College essays need to start strong. They’re competing for an admissions officer’s attention, and you don’t want to lose your reader before your story ever really gets going. Here are five...

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Life Advice for Teens

Engaged Without Worry
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By Kevin McMullin
December 15, 2021 | 2 minute read

It would be easy, particularly for a new reader to this blog, to get the sense that I’m encouraging kids to be less engaged with their college planning.

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College Applications Life Advice for Teens

Skirt This Law
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By Kevin McMullin
December 8, 2021 | 2 minute read

Parkinson’s Lawstates: “Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” For students with college applications that still need to be completed over the winter break, I...

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Advice for Parents

Let Tomorrow Happen
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By Kevin McMullin
November 24, 2021 | 2 minute read

Parents, while your kids are still in the house, you don’t have to wonder if you’ll all be sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner together. Whether you’re at your home table or visiting...

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What Colleges Look For

Ten Ways to Make Valuable Contributions
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By Kevin McMullin
November 3, 2021 | 3 minute read

Too many high school students view their success in group activities as measured only by accolades or official titles. But there are lots of ways you can make valuable contributions that...

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College Applications

Pre-submit Panic
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By Kevin McMullin
October 27, 2021 | 2 minute read

Seniors, if you’re rushing to complete your applications for November 1 early deadlines, here’s a tip meant to calm, not terrorize you. Expect to panic.

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