[P2] "You don’t need to reverse-engineer yourself into the perfect applicant": Founder/CEO of Collegewise Kevin McMullin on real passion, fake essays, and finding your own way

Welcome to "Fueling Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs: A LaunchX Podcast" where we explore what it means to balance ambition with purpose - because true success isn’t just about the money or the views - it’s about the impact we make and the lives we touch along the way. 

I’m your host Rachel, a fellow gen-z serial entrepreneur and today I’m back with Kevin McMullin, founder of Collegewise and one of the most grounding voices in the college admissions space.

In Part 2 of our conversation, we go even deeper into the emotional and practical realities of applying to college: what colleges really want, what makes an essay feel fake, how to deal with pressure from parents, and why your high school years should feel like your life - not just a checklist.

We also talk about ChatGPT, red flags in college counselors, immigrant family expectations, and how to stop giving power to the schools most likely to say no.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, behind, or just unsure of what matters most - this episode is your deep breath and your blueprint. Let’s get into it.

Connect with Kevin and Collegewise here:

Kevin McMullin

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-mcmullin-30633a20a/

Blog: wiselikeus.com

Collegewise

Website: https://collegewise.com

Blog: https://go.collegewise.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collegewise/

Find me! (Rachel):