<p>I’m a bit confused by what you mean by a ‘hook’ and I think we should clear up what it means. Would it be an activity that may be unique, or is it an activity you’re good at?
For example, which of these would be a ‘hook’?
Example A: Debate, Poet
Example B: Regional Gold Debate, 4 Time Published Poet</p>
<p>Looks like more FA candidates this year than last. The stock market is up so I hope the schools endowments are doing well this year.</p>
<p>@CellyZ: To tell you the truth, I have no idea. I just say what I like/am good at, and leave it at that.</p>
<p>Applying for Grade: 10
Boarding or Day: Boarding
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: African American
Financial Status: applying for FA probably won’t get any so possible full pay if we must
Repeating Grade: No
Applying to schools: SPS, Hotchkiss, Andover, Hill
“Hook”: my own nfp foundation that’s working with a foundation in Africa
Basketball
Percussion and piano
Award from ISA for academic excellence and citizenship
SSAT: 77%
SAT: Seventh grade, 2100</p>
<p>^ Sorry if this offends, but why is your SAT score so high compared with your SSAT score? Isn’t your SAT score two years older?</p>
<p>Personally, I was off-balanced when I saw that the Verbal section of the SSAT was not equivalent to the Verbal section of the SAT.</p>
<p>But that is one awesome hook you have there, confusedonhades!</p>
<p>@CellyZ Honestly, I think a hook is one or more attributes that would impress the interviewer because they know that you’re interested in sports, community service, clubs, instruments, etc. And having more than one is great as well. So I think both examples would count, especially if you’re good at them. It is mostly how the interviewer and the school percieves your hooks.</p>
<p>Hook is different for all of us. My definition is something special and unique to the applicant. Varsity sports are common, captain of clubs are common. Something that’s like BAM</p>
<p>Applying for grade: 10
Gender: F
Ethnicity: Asian American
Age: 14
FP or FA: Full pay
Repeating grade (y/n): yes
Applying to schools: Choate, Andover, Exeter, Deerfield, St Pauls
“Hook”: Math team
SSAT/ISEE/SAT/PSAT: SSAT 90%</p>
<p>GoldenRatio none taken and thanks! I would say that the math section was what made my SSAT score so low(51% I know terrible) because every other score was 85-87%. Also my preparation for the SAT was much greater I had studied for over 4 months but for the SSAT I had studied for about 2-3 because I believed I’d be ready.Poor planning? Definitely, but all I can do now is accentuate the positive and hope I’m not rejected because of my SSAT score.</p>
<p>@FutureExonian15 Honestly, being Asian American might bring down your overall eligibility (don’t know how else to put it) but I definitely think being FP will totally override that, 100%. And great SSAT score!</p>
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<p>Then I have been dealt with a double whammy; being of an over-represented minority and a financial aid applicant <em>sigh</em></p>
<p>@confusedonhades: Is it just me or did you just use a song reference? “Accentuate the positive/eliminate the negative/latch on to the affirmative/don’t mess with Mister In-Between!” -Johnny Mercer, Accentuate the Positive</p>
<p>Based on the previous years’ brutal results, Asian Americans needing FA, fasten your seat belts and get ready for a bumpy ride.</p>
<p>^ Haha, I sure hope the car has airbags…'cause I’m going to crash if that is true!</p>
<p>Applying for grade: 10
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Asian (Indonesian - international student)
Age: 15
Financial status: Full pay
Applying to: Choate, Hotchkiss, and Andover
Repeating a grade: No
Hook: Mountain climbing, scuba diving, soccer, and co-founder of NPO
SSAT: 91% (overall)</p>
<p>However, my essays may weigh me down due to their rushed creation.</p>
<p>^ If you think yours are rushed, you should read all of my Hotchkiss essays. They were over 500 words, so Gateway kindly chopped off the important parts and gave the school rambling bits of nonsense. I think you’re fine!</p>
<p>Thank you. I’m nervous for Andover since my interviewer said that from Jakarta alone, she and her sister interviewed 8 applicants. I’m sure we are all qualified and bright (after all, we applied to these great school). Hopefully, everyone will receive the best outcome because “the best school may not be the best school for you.”</p>
<p>I hope you will get a favorable decision as well! Yeah, competition is rough in my neck of the woods, too; I have ~10 classmates competing for the same HADES schools. :P</p>
<p>Grade you are applying to: 9th
Gender: M
Ethnicity:African American
State: N/A
Full Pay or FA: Full Pay
Repeat Grade: No
Non-HADES and gLadchemms Applicant
SSAT: 64 1st 75 2nd average of 2 70% rounded up
GPA: 3.95
Hopeful: Totally
Anxious: 100%</p>
<p>Applying to Woodberry Forest, Episcopal High School, and Mercersburg</p>
<p>I don’t see how Asians can be “overrepresented” since the majority of a race is still white at most schools.</p>
<p>@EHSWFSMBURHOPE First of all, mighty long username if I may say so myself. Secondly, I like the Hopeful and Anxious addition, that was funny.</p>