I was wondering how beneficial is a hook. So my hook is that I was very severely ill freshman year and hardly attended school. Since i got better, I used that experience to benefit other sick children, by raising and donating money, advocating for healthy eating, and helping chronically ill teens transition into adulthood. (I think this may be considered a sort of inspirational story i gues)
Unfortunately, my GPA is only a 3.65 Unweighted and weighted GPA is a 4.34 and my SAT is a 1530. My rank is top 7%.
I also have in school accomplishments including AIME, Science Olympiad (made state), NHS Secretary, Spanish Honor Society President, Young Democrats club President, and HOSA.
I want to go into medical field, I am an asian male from california.
What are my chances with this hook of getting into Rice University Regular Decision? Also what would be my chances of Harvard or Yale?
I think your hook will definitely help. Your GPA might hurt you, but if you explain it in your essay, it shouldn’t be too much of setback. Your SAT isn’t too much of an issue either. Try taking it again (or perhaps take the ACT) just to see if you do better but if you don’t, it should be fine. Keep in mind, that since you are Asian and from California, you are in a very competitive group. Definitely apply but be prepared for a rejection (everyone should be at these top schools). No one here on CC is going to be able to accurately predict your chances. Good luck!
This is not a hook. This is a nice EC or an experience to write about. A hook is something that the school wants or needs that you have - you are a great quarterback and the school needs a great quarterback, or you are the best drummer in the world and the band just happens to need a band, or the school is looking for a famous actor and you just happen to be one.
Your chance at those schools don’t change, but your experience is not a hook.
This is NOT a hook and will not make up for a low GPA. This would be a great essay topic, but won’t change your admissions prospects THAT greatly. I still think your stats are good. Harvard and Yale are reach schools, but you have a good chance for Rice. Chance back?
I think that your GPA is low, but not super low. This story maybe considered inspirational, bc you turned your life around and helping others avoid the experiences you did.
Harvard and Rice both want people who have had unique experiences, so I think you may have a shot of getting in!
Wish you the best!
I’m sorry you were so ill, and glad that you seem to have recovered from your medical issues.
But SO many kids have a similar story!! I had a kid this year who was (and is) seriously ill and was home tutored almost all year. I’ve taught kids with Lupus and Leukemia, kids who have had strokes. (One year, we had three kids in our school who had had strokes-- a totally bizarre coincidence.)
So I have to agree-- I wouldn’t call your medical history a “hook” of any sort. But it should help you write a killer essay.
As other posters have remarked, your situation is not a “hook”, but an experience you can use to favorably portray yourself in your essays and possibly LoR’s.
Many would say being an Asian male from California (and wanting to go into the medical field) is an “anti-hook” as you will be compared in some measure with all of the other super high achieving candidates of like background.
Your academic stats put you in the ball game at any school. Assuming your GPA was lowest freshmen year, you are in a better situation than candidates who show a downward trend. That said all three schools you listed are major reaches. You need to give yourself a wider range of schools.
Not a hook, but its admirable that you have managed to do well despite your illness. And you know your SAT isn’t low. You should ask your GC to include the fact of your illness in freshman year in the letter of rec. This is important.
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