<p>So I know I've posted before with different majors I've considered studying, and I've decided that Astrophysics was meant for me. For some reason, I feel like it's not very popular (which is initially why I didn't look into it) and as a female, would you call this a hook (by luck) or is it just an unpopular passion that colleges would consider as equal to say any other major someone may apply to?</p>
<p>No, a major can’t be a hook. A hook, as is described about a thousand times all over the site (this question is so common) is something that you can’t really change: being a URM, legacy, etc. It just happens to be a relatively rare major.</p>
<p>a female looking into science = hook? yes, kinda. you better still be a competitive applicant. having poor grades will disqualify you no matter what.
looking specifically into astrophysics? no.</p>
<p>are you a hs applying for college? in that case, you’re probably doing a physics major and then doing a couple of electives your senior year. that being said, you may have to do something like physics major with a specialization/concentration in astrophysics or something.</p>
<p>btw: there are plenty of majors which kids dont typically look into. chemical engr is one. the individual majors/specifics aren’t hooks.</p>
<p>if you’re talking about graduate school, then it really matters on where (individual school) you are applying to. i can imagine some school being starved for astrophysics grad students, they’ll take anyone who isn’t horrible.</p>
<p>I have heard that some colleges give special consideration to students who express an interest in certain majors. A frequently cited example are prospective Classics majors (colleges want to keep the department running, but they need a critical number of majors to do so). I heard that my own small school was actively recruiting prospective CS majors for a few years to help our then-new CS program get off the ground.</p>
<p>I would not consider astrophysics an unpopular major though. Being a female who is interested in sciences might work in your favor, as long as the rest of your applications suggests that you are a talented and motivated science student!</p>
<p>Majors can be hooks, if colleges are looking especially to cover their weak points.</p>
<p>For example, Wesleyan University invested in updates to their science department and were on the lookout for applicants who wanted to major in science. Engineering schools are always looking for female applicants, too. Overall, not many girls majoring in hard sciences. So yea, good for you.</p>