Article Published.. Is this a hook?

Applying to College
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<p>Me and my friends made a project and this got first nationally, attending EU project competition this year. My name isn't on it though, only two names could be on it and I was also working on Olympiads so... </p>

<p>My first question is, if we make a publication with it, could this be a "hook"? Our teachers say it can be on a science journal which has number 8. (This is high even for a post-doctorate) Also it has high chances in New Scientist too. </p>

<p>My other question is, even my name isn't on the project in the first place, can I still use this in admissions? If I state that I took part on it just as my other friends? And maybe our teacher (also our adviser on this project) would state my part on recommendation letter.</p>

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<p>If your name isn’t on the paper–you have no proof you contributed in any significant way.</p>

<p>And
it is not a hook…</p>

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<p>You are probably right, I really have no proof. </p>

<p>But about other thing, are you sure publishing an article while in high school isn’t a hook? What more can I do, I mean I can’t establish a million dollar company or anything…</p>

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<p>I think you just have the wrong understanding of a hook - a hook is being a URM, legacy, or first generation college (any others Im forgetting guys?). The article could be a cool EC and achievement, but it is not a hook.</p>

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<p>Oh, thanks NCBoy1 :)</p>

<p>I thought it was something that makes you stand out in your application. So, if it’s a cool EC, no problem. :)</p>

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<p>hooke = URM, first generation, recruited athlete, parents donated A TON of money to school, have strong alumni relations</p>

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<p>How can strong alumni relations help you??</p>

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<p>Im pretty sure any legacy is a hook, your parents dont have to have donated millions to the school. That wouldnt hurt (;)) but a legacy is still a hook.</p>

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<p>more on hooks for your reading pleasure…</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/144779-hookology-101-special-college-applicant-qualities-admissions-advantages.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/144779-hookology-101-special-college-applicant-qualities-admissions-advantages.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>stop depending on hooks to get you into top schools if you grades can’t</p>

<p>otherwise, just chalk it up as another EC, i guess…</p>

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<p>Thank you for your reply, NervusBreakdown, but I guess you understood me wrong. I just didn’t understand what “hook” means. I thought it meant “great EC” which make you stand out, so basically my question is: I have an article published in a good international science journal, will it make me stand out, is this EC good enough for MIT? (I know only this wouldn’t get me in, but just asking… )</p>

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<p>do research here on CC–there are tons of threads detailing hooks</p>

<p>As for MIt–check out last years 2014 stats thread that MIT Chris posted.</p>

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<p>Thanks… :)</p>

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<p>It’s an interesting EC. Definitely list the “first place” in the awards section on the CommonApp, and since it doing the project probably took up a significant amount of your time, I’d also list it as one of your twelve activities under the “Extracurricular/Work Experience” section.</p>

<p>As for being a hook, I would agree with the others that it’s not. However, there are some academic competitions whose winners are given a small “hook” for top colleges. For example, qualifying for USAMO, being an ISEF finalist, or being an Intel finalist will give you a moderate boost at most top schools, and a significant boost at schools like MIT and CalTech, especially if you plan on going into science, math, or engineering.</p>

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<p>Yeah, thanks for your reply. :slight_smile: I’m glad to hear it’s interesting, I mean I will be doing research for the rest of my life… It wouldn’t hurt starting early, right? </p>

<p>About other small hooks, I can’t be a USAMO qualifier since I’m international, but I got a silver medal in its Biology and Turkish version, became 2nd nationally. Hope it would help. :)</p>

<p>Also I’m currently working on another project which I’m hopeful with. I’m kinda sure it will get an award nationally, and probably it will be sent to ISEF, though I don’t know if it will be a finalist or not. But unfortunately this thing wouldn’t make it to this year’s applications.</p>

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<p>It may help a little, though probably not enough to have a significant effect on your decision.</p>

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<p>That’s cool. ISEF is great; I’m doing it this year too. :)</p>

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<p>Hehe thanks. :slight_smile: Hope my research is good as I think… Congrats to you too. :slight_smile: </p>

<p>Are you a senior right now? ISEF is far later than admissions… So that wouldn’t make much affect, am I right? </p>

<p>And about USAMO thing, It is important to do national olympiads only if you’re a US citizen? That’s not fair, is it?!!</p>

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<p>Lol. Actually, I’m a very well-informed junior. But I’m doing it this year - not sure how far I’ll go, but doing it all the same. Building a robot, actually! :)</p>

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<p>If you qualify for the International Math Olympiad in your country, it’ll help. But, from what I understand, qualifying for the US team is more impressive than qualifying for the team in Turkey. At least, for American schools.</p>

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<p>wow congrats! I built a robot myself too, but I’m not applying anywhere with it. My project is about cancer therapy. I hope you’ll do great!!</p>

<p>What about my project, so I can’t use it in my applications, right? That’s too bad… </p>

<p>About the Olympiad thing, I guess you said it because there are way more people in USA. That is right, but I was soooo close to IBO, I guess I just couldn’t admit the failure to myself yet. :)</p>