I think my past application for the 2015-2016 year was definitely lacking a hook. I threw in “I’m writing a novel” to my interviewer, but I didn’t even consider that a hook since I didn’t know I needed one.
What would be considered a bad hook?
Here are the major categories of hooks that the boarding schools tend to like (in no particular order):
- Children of faculty
- Legacy children
- Development cases
- High level athletes (ready for varsity at grade 9 or who would likely be recruited by a Div 1 College team)
- URM
- First generation college
- Geography (from a far reaching state or country)
Also very accomplished in other areas, besides athletics:music, art, theater, writing-- but seriously accomplished, not just pretty good at it. For both arts and athletics, it depends a little on what the school needs, and who’s graduating: lots of star hockey players are graduating, all the best cellists are graduating-- or maybe they’re desperately looking for a tuba player and you are one. There’s not way to know what they need, but, if you’re accomplished at either sports or the arts, make sure you send videos, meet with coaches and music/art directors, etc.
Writing a novel by itself isn’t much of a hook. Lots of people “are writing novels”; many “have written a novel”; with self publishing, plenty of people have even “published a novel.” Doesn’t mean the person is good at it.
If your novel is done, published, and a success (among people other than your friends and family), that could certainly be an impressive achievement.
Honestly- ( aside from residing in a tent in the Alaskan wilderness since birth or a complete game changer on the athletic field ) I think hooks are a little overrated . The BIG question that begs to be answered is : Why do you want to go to BS and have this experience? If you can answer that question in a genuine and thoughtful way and make a compelling case ( during the interview and on your app ) that’s the best hook out there.
Look- all three of my kids were FP with athletic hooks and very nice stats… but they still had to answer that question and make their case for admission. It’s never enough to rattle off a list of accomplishments or have one thing define you. You still have to answer Why.
Perfect stats ( even if you’re FP with a hook ) will NOT get you through the door if you cannot answer that question in an effective and meaningful way. Perfect stats or a rock star hook ( or both ) doesn’t necessarily mean an applicant is ready for BS either! Think about that!! And never assume amazing stats = certain school(s) because that’s when applicants ( and parents ) really start to get into trouble. Find schools you truly love ( your apply to list should reflect well -founded research ) and make your case for each school individually.
IMHO- That’s how it’s done.
All the other stuff ( stats, hooks, whatever ) is great but it’s all window dressing if you can’t answer that all- important question. BS admissions is an arms race but it’s definitely not the arms race you think it is when you factor in all the kids who can’t ( or don’t know how to ) answer that question. Think about it… 
Just my two cents before the next round…
Thank you for all the helpful and detailed responses. I really appreciate it.
Photomom, when are you going to write the Parents’ Guide to Everything Related to Boarding Schools (in collaboration with Choatiemom and various others, of course)?