<p>I am a junior in New Zealand (any New Zealanders here? ;P) wishing to apply to American universities next year.</p>
<p>I'm aware that although test scores aren't everything to your application, they still count the most. But besides that, my EC worries me :(</p>
<p>My EC is mainly, if not entirely, focused on community services, and I recently found out that by this time next year, I will have done around 2000+ hours of service for the last 4 years. My other activities are not very impressive - a little bit of music-related activities and 2 years of tennis.</p>
<p>I am really into community services, lovin' it, and intend to write about them in my application essays. Can this be a real hook to one's application?</p>
<p>It’s not a hook - hooks are things that you can’t reasonably control but that the admissions committee needs to collect to fill a class. That is, you have a hook if you are a URM, a developmental admit, a legacy, or an athletic recruit. However, you show passion, so I say go for it. I had over 1500 hours of community service and a job, but that was all. And I’m doing a-okay.</p>
<p>Two thousand is easily doable over four years, depending on circumstances. Many community service projects can turn into part of full time jobs. Twenty hours a week adds up.</p>
<p>Some, like mission trips, require overnight stays or weeks at a time in service projects.</p>
<p>That being said, community service is generally not seen as a hook unless you have done something extraordinary. Building a house in Mexico would be seen as positive, but not unusual for applicants to top schools. Organizing your own community work would be more impressive, and may constitute a hook.</p>
<p>Incorrect. A hook is something you can reasonable expect a school needs and wants. As it takes two to tango (i.e., school and applicant) control has little to do with it.</p>