Would authoring an article on WSJ/NYT/WP look good on college resumes? e.g would it impress HYPSM / be a “hook”?
If it relates to something you do or have a passion for then yes.
It’s not a hook. A hook is normally something out of your control (race, athlete, first gen).
That being said, don’t do it just because you think it’ll help for college. If you somehow manage to get published, it’ll look good. But don’t go out of your way to do it just for colleges.