<p>So, yep. As a bit of background information - I'm an Australian student (hence international), top 10% of my class, will graduate high school in the top 4% of the state, plus all the regulars (band, varsity sports, volunteering, etc.).</p>
<p>People talk a lot about "hooks" that can have you stand out as an applicant. I've done some pretty unconventional things, but I'm not sure if they're the right sorta thing that could get me into Wharton, Georgetown, etc. - that calibre of school.
But here they are:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>First and foremost, I've produced a music video (eg. run casting, budgeting, logistics, etc.) for EMI Records at age 15. I'm also scheduled to produce another video for EMI later this year.
(That's my big one - right sorta thing?)</p></li>
<li><p>I'm a dual state-finalist for Model UN (not a huge deal in comparison but some nice backup nonetheless.</p></li>
<li><p>I work as one of three on a committee to help organise a series of Under-18's concerts at a popular Sydney venue; this involves putting together promotion packages to send to potential sponsors, as well as the to-and-fro trying to organise booking and paying bands to play. I also had to help out a proposal for Government sponsorship in relation to this.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Is this the right sort of idea for a Wharton-wannabe? And what are some other examples of a "so unusual that it's typical" Tier 1/Ivy League hook?</p>
<p>I consider a true "hook" to be something like Academy Award nominee, Olympic medalist, nationally ranked figure skater, perhaps even high school football star (but with fantastic grades and scores, of course.)</p>
<p>They definitely make you stand out and are impressive ECs..."hook" is a loosely used term, so I tend to not use that word, but you are pretty impressive.</p>
<p>Everyone has their own definition of hook, I guess. In my opinion a real hook is something you have that they want; athletic ability, legacy with financial committment to the school, top award-winner in some field that burnishes the college's image, ethnic or some other kind of social diversity.</p>
<p>So even though the music video thing is great, to be a hook you'd have to find a college looking actively for someone with that skill set for a particular reason.</p>
<p>However, they really are strong ECs and pretty unique, and that's certainly a plus.</p>
<p>Ok well, barring my incorrect use of the word "hook" (it means a different thing down here in Oz), is this whole EMI thing the kind of potential game-changer that could really help me stand out as an applicant compared to, say, the typical "2350+ with not much else" sorta kid who tries to get in on only brains, not passion?</p>
<p>It's really just so I can have an idea if I have, or am in the right ballpark of, that elusive "you need to have cured cancer" sort of special something that is often said to be needed of an Ivy-applicant.</p>
<p>I think there's alot more kids with the 2350+ these days that have passion than nothing else, I wouldn't discredit your competition... Other than what's already been stated, there's no sure-fire way to get an Ivy acceptance. I think you need to ask yourself if going to an Ivy will fit you, versus trying to find a way to fit the Ivy.</p>
<p>Oh well I visited Wharton this year and quite literally fell in love with the place - I mean I honestly could not see anywhere else I think I'd be quite as happy at - and I know that Penn is very heavy on getting students that have Penn as their #1 choice.</p>
<p>Basically, I absolutely know Penn's the best place for me - it's just me trying to work out how to prove to the admissions officers that I'm the best person for Penn.</p>
<p>Producing a video shows energy, creativity, and organizational skills-show that as a theme in your essays and whether it is a hook or not, it will help-it shows that you are capable and can do something.</p>