a hook?

Applying to College
1

<p>What exactly can be an hook in college admission process? How much does it help?</p>

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<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/brown-university/580334-what-would-better-hook.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/brown-university/580334-what-would-better-hook.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>The best hook is if an applicant has something the college needs. A good hook is if an applicant has something they want. Often this will be things like athletic skill, URM status, or other interesting experiences, skills, talents, or background that will contribute to the college community. Sometimes overcoming great adversity can be a kind of hook.</p>

<p>A tour guide at Pomona once described it as something that "closes the deal" after the usual consideration of academic strength and solid educational background.</p>

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<p>Or something you excel at. For example, being able to speak 5 languages fluently or being the NFL/CFL national champion.</p>

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<p>well, I can speak 4 fluently. I have been a chef for few years (over 3000 hours of work when I calculated it). Can that be a hook? lol probably not.</p>

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<p>What is a hook for one institution might not be remotely interesting for another. And, the institution's recruiting goals change from one year to the next. A classic example would be the smaller college that is losing its solo oboist next May. In that case, unless there is a hidden oboe talent on campus, you can bet that the admissions office will be looking for a decent oboist in this year's applicant pool! Next year, the music department may be hunting for French horn players, and oboe talent won't much matter to the admissions office.</p>

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<p>umm.. where can we mention how many languages we can speak fluently and that we are the first generation?</p>

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<p>If you're filling out the Common App there is a question about what level of education your parents attained. The answer to that would cover the 1st generation thing. I suppose you could put the languages in the Additional Information section.</p>

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<p>Princeton University is seeking more artistic & alternative style students. Some liberal universities may be seeking conservative students. Low income, first generation college student is a hook at most elite schools. URMs=Under Represented Minorities at most schools. I know white students admitted to historically black colleges whose caucasian race may have been viewed as a hook. For some schools, ability to pay full tuition may be a hook; while for other schools in the Dakotas, just being a warm body eligible for higher education may be a hook as students are desparately needed there. Some schools view high standardized test scores as a hook. Geographical diversity may be another type of hook. A hook is what a particular school doesn't have and needs or wants that quality. Or maybe they have some, but want more.</p>