<p>can an ec that you have done for 4-5 years be considered a hook at the ivys (more specifically princeton, dartmouth, cornell). I volunteered in an ancient medication factory every summer from 6th through 11th grade preparing and distributing these medications. I wrote an essay detailing my procedures and materials used to make these medications and how these experieneces have given me a strong passion to become a doctor. Do you think this will help considering the fact that I have lowish sats (1940) and gpa (92 uw, 94 w). Thanks.</p>
<p>I think it is a unique experience, but I don't know if it's a "hook," as in something that will definitely get you accepted. If you wrote a great essay, that will help you a lot.</p>
<p>Would help with Cornell quite a bit I imagine, less so w/ P and Dartmouth. It isn't an overly unique hook, but with other related activites it could stand out I guess. I would recommend retaking SATs, but your GPA isn't so bad.</p>
<p>yeh unfortunately I cannot retake the sats as I am already a senior. I tried writing the best essay I posisbly could about my experience and conveying it with my true passion of science research.</p>
<p>It will be looked on very favorably, but it's no hook.</p>
<p>haha okay thanks bill<em>h</em>pike. Im trying my best to show my breadth and epth in my ecs as my test scores and gpa are decent but not stellar compared to people here</p>
<p>Do you think this experience would help me get in, even if my scores and gpa are average to below average for the school? Im really gunning for ivies and top schools.</p>
<p>No, sorry.</p>
<p>ok thanks madd stressed. I just wanted to emphasize my passion for medicine and research so I wrote an essay about this experience. Will I at least somewhat stand out?</p>
<p>Who knows, maybe. You'll find out in a couple weeks.</p>
<p>one final bumppppppp</p>
<p>I don't mean to crush your hopes, but unless you have done something truly spectacular, your SAT score simply won't cut it. Your work at the medication factory is certainly commendable, but not a big enough hook to outweigh your SAT score.</p>
<p>well i kind of had a personal situation for the past yr (my father had kidney failure and lost his job 6 months prior). As a result, I take full responsibility of him by taking him to his dialysis appointments, etc. I also work 2 jobs this yr, and 1 last year. Hence, I really had no time to study for the SATs. I also only took it once: January of 2006. However, I also took the ACT which was a 28, but I had a 32 english, and a 29 math.</p>
<p>unless u mention it somewhere in an essay...they wont know uve done it before high school.</p>
<p>also, time doesnt make something a hook, its what you got out of it and how you are able to express it that makes something a hook</p>
<p>yeh I do realize that. I wrote an additional essay about this experience and how this experience helped to further increase my passion for medicine and philanthropy. I talked about how this experience helped me to conduct lab research in high school and to have aspirations to become either a doctor or researcher.</p>
<p>Iwannatopcollege:</p>
<p>First and foremost, I want to wish you good-luck! </p>
<p>I believe the medication factory work/volunteer will be considered greatly during the admissions process (especailly Cornell). Your SAT score isn't that bad. I want you to know that. A 2000 (very close to your score) would be considered a very solid score. I think you know that the score, even though quite solid, isn't spectacular; therefore, using that score to get into Princeton might be a bit of a problem. Dartmouth and Cornell, however, are still attainable. </p>
<p>From what I can tell, your essay seems to be quite good. If you need some essay advise, feel free to send your essay to me (through CC PM) and I will proof-read it for you and tell you what I think of it.</p>
<p>You know what would be a really good essay topic though?
How you had to cope with your dad losing his job, your dad's kidney failure and how you still kept up with school and your volunteer work even though you had to take care of your dad etc. These kinds of essays usually soften up the admissions. </p>
<p>BTW, where was your mom during this whole process? Please don't mind me asking. I was just thinking that if your mom had a job or whatever, and she was able to help out the family quite a bit, then the point that I mentioned above may not be good to include in an essay.</p>
<p>Anyway, I really do hope you can get into Cornell (It is one of my dream schools as well)!</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>I think it's pretty silly to call ivies attainable with under 2000 unless the candidate is the best quaterback the league ever saw, and even then...Read the Middlebury thread on he parent's board. A reporter sta in with their adcom and describes in great detail just how important the stats are and how secondary the ECs are.</p>
<p>That said, while not a hook, you have a very interesting and unique EC. Something that would make adcoms remember you. I think you shold do really well at schools where your stats are at least average.</p>
<p>well the main ivies that I am concerned about are dartmouth and cornell. Idk I tried my very best to stand out despite my lowish sats and gpa..</p>
<p>p.s. I also applied for the low income program at Cornell (HEOP), which I hope can help me</p>
<p>Suze:</p>
<p>I am just trying to be encouraging, that's all! Some people on this site are too pessimistic. </p>
<p>I know how important stats are but I think iwannatopcollege's situation is unique. Admission is really just a game; you never know what is going to happen. </p>
<p>So iwannatopcollege: Don't lose hope b/c I know you can do it.</p>
<p>Whatever happens, no one on this forum should be less encourage than it aleady is. </p>
<p>I just cannt wait to see you go to the college, Suze. I just hope you end up where ever you want to be. </p>
<ul>
<li>I meant that in a good way.</li>
</ul>