<p>(I posted this in the College Admissions section, but I realized it probably belongs here. Sorry for re-posting!)</p>
<p>I've been playing competitive chess for several years, and I recently won the official state championship (NOT scholastic). Also, I have spent 300+ hours volunteering at the local chess center, and currently earn approx. $75.00/hour teaching chess to elementary school children.</p>
<p>Would this be considered a hook? I've been told it looks good because I am really following my passion, but what do you think?</p>
<p>Background Info:</p>
<p>10th grade home-schooled student
4.0 unweighted GPA in all classes (tutorial classes, online, at home)
Advanced mathematics curriculum (currently taking AP Calc. BC)
Planning to take AP tests in Biology, Calc. BC, Latin, Microeconomics, Physics C, Psychology, Statistics
214 PSAT score (does not count for NMSQT because I am in 10th grade)
Currently looking at UChicago, MIT, Columbia, etc.</p>
<p>What do you think? Am I on the right track? Is there anything else I should be doing?</p>
<p>@Halcyon: Because chess isn’t found in the average school’s daily curriculum. :P</p>
<p>Seriously, though, I’d be more interested in a medical career. Also, I’m working on a project for the Siemens competition, so that may appear on my transcript if all goes well.</p>
<p>UMBC and UT-Dallas will take chess prowess heavily into consideration. The top schools, umm, not so much. I know several top highschool chess players, one who was a top female player in the country, and it did not appear as though she got much consideration for the accomplishment. Making grandmaster status might do it, but those players often forego college with what they are earning playing chess.</p>
<p>@runswimrun: Well, do you think it will help my application, and are these colleges viable choices?</p>
<p>@cptofthehouse: I realize being state champion may not carry much weight, but do you think the combined focus of extra-curriculars and job may be beneficial?</p>
<p>Also, I am the head of a chess team, and there’s a good chance we’ll win the state high-school championship.</p>
<p>Absolutely, postively! Any sport does, and it does count as a sport if you are looking at some sports scholarships like the Milk one from some years ago. It will help your application as an EC. Just don’t expect it to be a hook.</p>
<p>It is a strong EC (and strong ECs are important to have) and demostrates community service, commitment and the fact that you can maintain a job. So yes it is a great EC to have, but it is in no way a hook. I know several other people who are extremely involved in chess, it is less common then something like track or newspaper, but it is in no way uncommon.</p>
<p>It is too early to tell, your GPA is not valid unless you are taking classes online, at a local college or something along those lines. It seems that you are on track, but you need more ECs. The one thing you are lacking is leadership.</p>
<p>The chess is good and it’ll help, especially because you seem to do a lot with it. If its your passion, I recommend writing an essay on it when the time comes, because that’ll probably do a lot to get your personality through. That being said, it’s still not going to be enough to get you into the colleges you want without other stuff. Your grades look fine, and hopefully you’ll do well at SAT/ACT. Leadership should come with time as long as your dedicated to a club, so I recommend looking at clubs now so that you can eventually get leadership roles. If those clubs do some sort of competition (NHD, Science Bowl, AC DEC) and you do well at those, it also helps a lot. Finally, if anything, I think siemens will help the most as long as you do well.</p>
<p>Also, any thoughts on my acceptance into either RSI or TASP? I know they are both high reach opportunities, but it’d be amazing to be accepted into either one.</p>