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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

Looking for a Personal Statement Outline?
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By Kevin McMullin
September 20, 2021 | 4 minute read

When a Collegewise counselor brainstorms an essay with one of our students, we present them with a suggested outline to get them started on their first draft. But each outline (and essay,...

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College Essays

How to Write a College Application Essay
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By Kevin McMullin
September 13, 2021 | 3 minute read

The college essay often feels like a treasure hunt where every applicant is searching for an elusive magic formula. I’ll let you off the hook—there isn’t one. If there were one perfect way...

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Advice for Parents College Applications

Five Application Management Tips for Parents
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By Kevin McMullin
September 8, 2021 | 4 minute read

I spend a lot of time here reminding parents that your most important college-admissions-related job is to be theparentof your applicant. Love your student unconditionally. Remember that...

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College Essays

How Important Is the Common App Essay?
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By Kevin McMullin
September 6, 2021 | 4 minute read

Of the nearly 900 colleges that invite first-year applicants to apply using the Common Application, many—but not all—require that you include a written essay responding to one of seven...

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College Essays

How to Start a Personal Statement Essay
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By Kevin McMullin
August 18, 2021 | 4 minute read

Give them a glimpse of the story to come. First impressions matter, in life and in college essays. When you apply to college, you have an engaged audience in an admissions reader, someone...

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College Essays

Five Ways to Go Wrong in College Essays
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By Kevin McMullin
July 28, 2021 | 4 minute read

Editor’s note: For students looking to get ahead with college essays this summer, we’re bringing back some of our favorite (and best) advice on the topic from our founder Kevin McMullin....

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